Alte Fort Museum | Tsumeb

Information

Landmark: Alte Fort Museum
City: Tsumeb
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Alte Fort Museum, Tsumeb, Namibia, Africa

The Alte Fort Museum is a historical and cultural museum housed in a former German colonial fortress in Grootfontein. It serves as a primary repository for the history of the Otjozondjupa Region and the "Dorsland Trek."

Visual Characteristics

The museum is a whitewashed stone fortress built in a rectangular functional style typical of 1890s German military architecture. It features a central courtyard and thick stone foundations. The grounds are populated with large-scale agricultural and industrial artifacts, including ox wagons, vintage petrol pumps, and a blacksmith's lathe.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: 33 Okavango Road (near the corner of Eriksson St), Grootfontein.

Access: Fully accessible by any vehicle; located within the urban center of Grootfontein.

Hours (2026): * Mon–Fri: 08:30 – 15:30.

Weekends/Holidays: Closed (unless pre-booked at least 4 days in advance).

Entry Fees: Approximately N$80 for adults (standard hours) and N$120 for pre-booked after-hours/weekend visits.

Contact: It is highly recommended to call or email ([email protected]) a few hours before arrival, as it is largely run by volunteers.

Key Highlights & Exhibits

Dorsland Trek Collection: Comprehensive displays documenting the journey of the "Thirstland Trekkers"-Boer farmers who trekked from South Africa through the Kalahari to Angola and back to Namibia in the late 19th century.

Mining & Industry: Artifacts from the regional mining history (Grootfontein-Tsumeb-Otavi triangle), including specialized geological tools and a historic telephone exchange.

Ethnographic Displays: Exhibits showcasing the traditional tools, crafts, and history of the San (Bushman) and Damara people indigenous to the area.

The Blacksmith Shop: A reconstructed workshop featuring original tools used for wagon-making and repair during the colonial era.

Historical Significance

The fort was constructed in 1896 by the German Schutztruppe. It initially served as a military outpost to secure the northern territories. In 1983, after being saved from demolition, it was converted into a museum to preserve the town’s pioneering and industrial heritage.