During my visit to Lüderitz, recounted in last week’s post, I also visited the nearby ghost town of Kolmanskop (or Kolmannskuppe in the old German). First established in the late 19th Century as a diamond mining town, the last resident departed in the mid-1950s. Since then, it has been subject to the slow but steady encroachment of the Namib Desert sand. It’s a photographer’s Mecca, particularly during the early and late hours of the day, and I did the best I could during the middle of the day.
Ghost towns are the coolest. But this one is WAY COOL! It looks like it’s sinking! With global climate change we have to worry about oceanfront towns being over-run by water but here is a town in the middle of the desert being overrun by sand!
Excellent photos once again, Chris!
Wow, what an incredible place!
Great post, Chris. I’m surprised Kolmannskuppe looks this well preserved if it was abandoned in the 50’s. No graffiti, etc. and the building look like someone could shovel out the sand and just move in. Nice photos, by the way.
Hi, Joel, and thanks! It’s protected (like an historic park) and visitors do seem respectful. In these arid climes, nothing decomposes very quickly so the wooden structures can definitely last for years!