Alte Feste

The Alte Feste (Old Fortress) is a fortress and museum in the heart of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The building was designed by Captain Curt von Francois to serve as the headquarters of the imperial German Schutztruppe (colonial military force) during the German colonial period of Southwest Africa. The location of Windhoek, which was desolate and completely destroyed at that time, was chosen because the Germans felt it would be a buffer zone between the Nama and Herero tribes. However, the fortress was never involved in any military activity.

The foundation was laid on October 18, 1890 by the then Schutztruppe private, Gustav Tunschel. The building was redesigned several times during its first years; its final layout was only completed in 1915. It consists of an inner courtyard with high walls and military accommodation on the inside, as well as four towers. Alte Feste is the oldest surviving building in the city which has since developed around it.

After World War I, German forces surrendered in South West Africa. Windhoek was occupied by the South African Army in March 1915. Alte Feste now served as military headquarters for the South African Union army.

In 1935, the fortress was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a dormitory for the adjacent Windhoek High School. Severely dilapidated, it was designated a National Monument in 1957. The building was extensively renovated in 1963 and has since housed the National Museum of Namibia.

In 2010, the Reiterdenkmal, Windhoek's famous equestrial monument, was placed in front of Alte Feste. It was removed and put into storage on Christmas Day in 2013.

Location: Windhoek, Namibia