The Towns No One Wanted: Kolmanskop, Namibia


This week, I'm covering towns that people walked away from for a variety of reasons including pollution, dying industry, and Mother Nature. 




In the Southwestern Africa region of Namibia in the Namib Desert is a German town buried in the sands and long forgotten. But, how did the Germans come to settle in this desolate region? Perhaps for the most lofty of reasons - diamonds!

In 1908, a worker found a diamond and showed it to his German supervisor. Soon after, the Germans came in to mine the diamonds and built a little village that reminded them of home. 



The town that was built up was fully supported with a hospital, ballroom, power station, school, theater and more! It boasted the tram in Africa and a railway! 

But, by World War I, the diamond mines were depleted and it went downhill after other finds outshined them and people moved on to the newest site. By 1954, the town was abandoned. 

Today, you can get a pass to tour the town. Getting there is a rugged journey, but it makes an amazing photographic opportunity.







Comments

  1. Fascinating! Kudos to the young german speaking couple! I loved the music theme of the video.
    Thanks for sharing.

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