Duwisib Castle

Duwisib Castle, sometimes spelled Duwiseb or Duweseb, is a large medieval-looking fortress in the hills of the semi-arid Southern Namib region of Namibia. It was built by 'Baron' Captain Hans Heinrich von Wolf (born in Dresden in 1873), who was posted to the then German West Africa. After the German-Nama war, Captain von Wolf went to his home in Dresden and married the stepdaughter of the US consul, Miss Jayta Humphreys, on the 8th of April 1907. They decided to settle in Southwest Africa and purchased eight farms in the Maltahöhe area. The famous architect Wilhelm Sander was commissioned to design a building and construction commenced in 1908. Most of the materials were imported from Germany and stonemasons were hired from Italy, Sweden and Ireland.

While they were traveling to Europe in 1914, World War I broke out and the ship carrying von Wolf and his wife was diverted to Rio de Janeiro. Jayta Humphreys had retained her American citizenship and found passage to Europe on a Dutch ship; legend has it the Baron was hiding in his wife's cabin.

On arrival in Europe, von Wolf rejoined the German army, and was killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, just two weeks after his registration. His wife could not return to Namibia alone and never reclaim the majestic castle. She spent the rest of her life in the South of England. What is believed to be descendants of their fine thoroughbred horses can be seen today roaming free and wild as Namib Desert Horses along the roadside and in the restricted diamond areas, whether or not this is the origin of these herds is unknown.

This famous historical site in Namibia consists of 900 m2 with a large courtyard and is today open to the public as a museum.

Location: Namib, Namibia