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Hohenzollern Building

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Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)

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The Hohenzollern Building in Swakopmund is an impressive example of Neo-Baroque architecture and is regarded as one of the most magnificent structures from the German colonial era. Constructed between 1904 and 1906, it was originally designed as a high-end hotel for wealthy travelers and colonial officials. The building is renowned for its elaborate facade decorations, most notably the statue of Atlas on the roof bearing a globe. Its architectural style reflects the confidence and prosperity of the early 20th century, standing in stark contrast to the more functional colonial designs of the time. Following the hotel's closure, the building served various purposes, including administrative offices and later private residences. In 1972, the Hohenzollern Building was declared a national monument and underwent meticulous restoration to preserve its historical grandeur. Today, it houses exclusive apartments and serves as a popular subject for photographers visiting the coastal town. Its prominent location at the corner of Brücken Street and Libertina Amathila Avenue makes it a central landmark in Swakopmund's historic district.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, May.

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📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Hohenzollern Building is a striking Neo-Baroque building in Swakopmund. It can be viewed from the outside; the interior is not always open to the public.
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Typical hours
As a commercial building, the interior is usually accessible only during business hours. The exterior can be seen anytime.
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Photography
Photographing the facade from outside is allowed anytime. Inside, restrictions may apply depending on occupancy.
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Time needed
For exterior viewing, 10-15 minutes suffice. If you can also go inside, allow 20-30 minutes.
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Combine with
Combine with Swakopmund promenade and the Crystal Museum. The Marine Tower district is also welcoming.
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Getting there
The Hohenzollern Building is centrally located in downtown Swakopmund. It is within walking distance from most hotels and sights.
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Insider tip
Look for the Atlas statue on the roof - it is a popular photo subject. Visit in late afternoon for nice lighting.

Geography

Coordinates
-22.67920, 14.52830

Facts

  • The building was constructed between 1904 and 1906.
  • It was originally opened as the Hohenzollern Hotel.
  • The statue of Atlas on the roof is its most prominent feature.
  • The building has been a protected national monument since 1972.
  • The facade features elaborate Neo-Baroque plasterwork.
  • Today, the building is primarily used for residential apartments.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Altes AmtsgerichtAltes Amtsgericht<1 km · NEExplore →
Martin Luther Steam TractorMartin Luther Steam Tractor5 km · NExplore →
Salt Company SwakopmundSalt Company Swakopmund7 km · EExplore →
Swakop RiverSwakop River8 km · NExplore →
Dorob National ParkDorob National Park11 km · NWExplore →
Pelican Point LighthousePelican Point Lighthouse25 km · SWExplore →
Walvis Bay ShipyardWalvis Bay Shipyard28 km · WExplore →
Port of Walvis BayPort of Walvis Bay29 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Sights in the town Hohenzollern Building (10)

Rogl Souvenirs & Gallery

Gallery and souvenir shop in Swakopmund featuring handicrafts.

🕒 Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 08:30-13:00,14:00-18:00; Su 09:00-13:0🆓

German Lutheran Church

Church in Swakopmund, a place of worship for the Lutheran congregation.

♿

Our Lady of the Rosary

Roman Catholic church in Swakopmund, parish of the Rosary, Archdiocese of Windhoek.

Otavi Bahnhof🏛 museum

Former railway station in Swakopmund, now a museum.

Woermannhaus

National monument in Namibia, a historic building in Swakopmund.

Eiermannhaus Art Gallery

Art gallery on the first floor of a building in Swakopmund.

Old German Fortress🏰 castle

Old German fort in Swakopmund, a historic structure.

State House

Former courthouse building in the Namibian coastal town of Swakopmund.

Kristall Galerie🏛 museum

Museum in Swakopmund with exhibitions of crystals and minerals.

The Living Desert Snake Park

Zoo in Swakopmund featuring snakes and desert animals.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hohenzollernhaus?
A historic building with striking architecture in Swakopmund.
Can it be visited?
The interior is mostly not open to the public, but the facade is worth seeing.
Where is the building located?
It is centrally located near the city center of Swakopmund.
Is it photogenic?
Yes, the baroque style elements are unique in Namibia.
How long does a short visit take?
About 5-10 minutes for photos.
Hohenzollern Building: where is it located?
Hohenzollern Building is located in Namibia.
Hohenzollern Building: what is there to see?
Highlights include Rogl Souvenirs & Gallery, German Lutheran Church, Our Lady of the Rosary.
Hohenzollern Building: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, May.
Hohenzollern Building: why is it worth visiting?
The Hohenzollern Building in Swakopmund is an impressive example of Neo-Baroque architecture and is regarded as one of the most magnificent structures from the German colonial era.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Walvis Bay — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Walvis Bay
Namibia's principal deep-water port, renowned for its large natural lagoon and salt pans.
Sandwich Bay — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Sandwich Bay
A spectacular location where the massive dunes of the Namib Desert plunge directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
Swakopmund — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Swakopmund
A premier coastal resort town characterized by its well-preserved German colonial architecture.
Omaruru — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Omaruru
A picturesque town at the base of the Erongo Mountains, known for its thriving arts community and winery.
Usakos — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Usakos
A historic settlement that serves as the natural gateway to the dramatic Spitzkoppe granite peaks.
Karibib — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Karibib
A historic railway town famous globally for the exceptionally high-quality marble extracted nearby.
Arandis — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Arandis
A desert town originally established to support the massive Rössing Uranium Mine workforce.
Henties Bay — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Henties Bay
A popular coastal holiday destination, famous among anglers and off-road enthusiasts.
Uis — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Uis
A remote mining settlement living in the shadow of the imposing Brandberg Massif.
Okombahe — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Okombahe
A culturally rich settlement on the Omaruru River, functioning as the traditional seat of Damara leadership.
Sandwich Harbour — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Sandwich Harbour
A spectacular location where the giant dunes of the Namib Desert plunge directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
Cape Cross — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Cape Cross
A historic headland on the Atlantic coast, famous for its massive seal colony and the stone cross erected by Portuguese explorers.

History & landmarks

Woermannhaus — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Woermannhaus
A historic half-timbered building in Swakopmund, once the headquarters of the Damara and Namaqua Trading Company, famous for its Damara T…
Swakopmund Lighthouse — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Swakopmund Lighthouse
An iconic red and white striped lighthouse in Swakopmund, which played an important role in the colonial history and navigation of the co…
Martin Luther Steam Tractor — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Martin Luther Steam Tractor
A historic steam tractor just outside Swakopmund that got stuck in the sand in 1896 and was jokingly named after a quote by Martin Luther.
Pelican Point Lighthouse — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Pelican Point Lighthouse
A cast-iron lighthouse on a remote sandbank near Walvis Bay, safely navigating ships into the strategically important bay.
Rhenish Mission Church Walvis Bay — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Rhenish Mission Church Walvis Bay
A historic wooden building in Walvis Bay that was prefabricated in Hamburg and transported by ship to Namibia.

Nature

🗺️
Swakop River
A significant desert river near Swakopmund.
Kuiseb River — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Kuiseb River
A seasonal river that delimits the Namib sands.

More places

Altes Amtsgericht — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Altes Amtsgericht
A colonial building in Swakopmund that was originally planned as a school but was then used as a magistrate's court.
Swakopmund Aquarium — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Swakopmund Aquarium
An exciting experience for kids to discover marine life.
Marine Memorial — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Marine Memorial
A historical monument in Swakopmund commemorating the Marine Infantry of World War I.
Salt Company Swakopmund — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Salt Company Swakopmund
A large facility for the extraction of sea salt through evaporation on the Atlantic coast.
Dorob National Park — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Dorob National Park
A coastal park, known for its desert ecology.
Walvis Bay Shipyard — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Walvis Bay Shipyard
A major shipbuilding and repair facility on the west coast of Africa supporting the maritime industry.
Port of Walvis Bay — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Port of Walvis Bay
Namibia's largest commercial port and a major gateway to Southern Africa.
Walvis Bay Flamingo Park — Hohenzollern Building (Namibia)
Walvis Bay Flamingo Park
A lagoon area, famous for its flamingos.