General Hospital, Former hospital and monument in Douala, Cameroon
The General Hospital is a former medical facility and administrative building in central Douala with symmetrical architecture, high ceilings, and large windows. The structure features extensive openings designed to provide natural ventilation in tropical climate conditions.
The structure was built in 1896 under German administration and initially served only European patients. During French rule, it underwent two major expansions in the 1930s that doubled its original size.
The building appears in Louis-Ferdinand Céline's novel 'Journey to the End of the Night', based on the author's time spent here during colonial times. This literary connection draws readers interested in exploring the places that inspired major European works.
The building is located in central Douala and now houses various government offices including the Police Department and regional cultural administration. The best time to explore is early morning when the surroundings are less busy and architectural details are easier to see.
The building originally bore the name Nachtigal Hospital, named after a German colonial-era explorer. Few visitors know this original name or its connection to early European exploration of the region.
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