Duwisib Castle - A German Castle in Namibia

Duwisib Castle: Built in 1909 by retired Schutztruppe Captain Hansheinrich Von Wolf, the castle stands on the high ground looking south-wards onto a valley that is situated in the semi-arid lands about 70kms south west of Maltahohe. If you are traveling along the C14 road and in the area it's well worth the effort and time to make the detour. Take care and read your road map carefully. The route to the castle is not sign posted. See directions below.   Although having a somewhat foreboding external appearance, the interior of Duwisib Castle was designed for comfort and had the latest plumbing fixtures of the day. The clever placing of windows offers the best lighting. The meter thick stone walls and high ceilings made for
coolness in the hot summers. The twin fireplaces in the Knight's Hall were needed during the few , but often bitterly cold winter's evenings. Beneath the hall was a large cellar to keep cool the imported German wines and French Cognacs. The singer's gallery lead to the Gentlemen's smoking room having a ceiling decorated with a painting of a Zeppelin in flight (see below)	Hardap Region
	25º15'S - 16º32'E

Duwisib Castle:

Built in 1909 by retired Schutztruppe Captain Hansheinrich Von Wolf, the castle stands on the high ground looking south-wards onto a valley that is situated in the semi-arid lands about 70kms south west of Maltahohe. If you are traveling along the C14 road and in the area it's well worth the effort and time to make the detour. Take care and read your road map carefully. The route to the castle is not sign posted. See directions below.

 

Although having a somewhat foreboding external appearance, the interior of Duwisib Castle was designed for comfort and had the latest plumbing fixtures of the day. The clever placing of windows offers the best lighting. The meter thick stone walls and high ceilings made for coolness in the hot summers. The twin fireplaces in the Knight's Hall were needed during the few , but often bitterly cold winter's evenings. Beneath the hall was a large cellar to keep cool the imported German wines and French Cognacs. The singer's gallery lead to the Gentlemen's smoking room having a ceiling decorated with a painting of a Zeppelin in flight.

 

Hanging on the east wall of the Knight's Hall are two beautiful examples of a cavalry saber and a military dress sword that were given to Hansheinrich as presents from his brother in law and are engraved ' Horst Von Metzsch S/L Hanheinrich Von Wolf.

 

To the left of the entrance hall, the Lounge and dining room; to the right another lounge and then the master bedroom leading to one of the castles two bathrooms. The five guest bedrooms are accessed from the enclosed courtyard, as are the Kitchen, storerooms and cool-room. The palm trees that can be seen in the courtyard were planted by Von Wolf. Much of the furniture was bought from the auction of the Gottop Castle of Schleswig. Ceremonial daggers Persian carpets, pistols, along with a variety of sabers and swords and family paintings adorn the walls.

The singers' gallery	fire place	Fire place	Furnishings from Germany	Dining room
One For The Road
	Now here's a painting that raised my curiosity. It's in a small room that leads off from the Singer's gallery and offers a good view to the south, but up above on the ceiling is a mural showing a mountain scene with a Zeppelin flying across. It's possible that the Von Wolfs had seen one of these airships while on a visit to Germany and when the castle was being built asked an artist to paint this mural. Just one-hundred years ago the Military Zeppelin was at the forefront of air travel and also announced Germany's prowess in-the-air. Since then we have witnessed: Men walking on

The Moon, the Hubble Telescope and probes landing on Mars. Not to mention these PC things!

Acknowledgements and further reading: GV6, H4, P1     ►  Duwisib Castle 2 a History

 

Duwisib Castle is managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. There are camping facilities there with no power.

Local Area Attractions
Sesriem	Sossusvlei	Maltahohe	Solitaire

Of Interest:  Hansheinrich von Wolf is legendary for his riding of his horse into the bar of the Maltahohe Hotel and with his revolver shooting the bottles on the bar shelves. However, he was an extremely hard working man who's contribution to the politics of the district was valued. In those far off days when the racial divisions were wide, he advocated that blacks be allowed to receive medical treatment in the local clinic.

Duwisib Castle Namibia

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