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Duwisib Castle
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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
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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)
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Hardap Region |
| 25º15'S -
16º32'E |
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Map of Namibia |
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Map & Direction |
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.
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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 |
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One For The Road |
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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
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Duwisib
Castle 2 a History
Duwisib Castle is managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. There
are camping facilities there with no power.
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.
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