Gibeon Meteorite Fountain | Windhoek

The Gibeon Meteorite Fountain is a permanent outdoor geological display located in the Post Street Mall pedestrian zone in central Windhoek. It is situated on a raised concrete plinth in the middle of a commercial walkway, approximately 0.1km west of Independence Avenue.

Visual Characteristics

The display consists of 31 individual Gibeon meteorite fragments mounted on tall, dark-colored metal pillars of varying heights. The meteorites are dark, metallic, and irregularly shaped, with characteristic "regmaglypts" (thumbprint-like indentations) caused by atmospheric ablation. The central fountain structure is made of concrete and stone, surrounded by a paved pedestrian plaza and retail storefronts.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located in the Post Street Mall, a car-free pedestrian zone between Independence Avenue and Kasino Street. Visitors can access the site on foot from Independence Avenue. The nearest parking is available at the Town Square Mall parkade or along Fidel Castro Street. Public transport taxis frequently stop at the intersection of Independence Avenue and Post Street.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The fragments are part of the Gibeon meteorite shower, which fell in prehistoric times over a 275km by 100km area in southern Namibia near the town of Gibeon. These octahedrite iron meteorites are approximately 4 billion years old. The fountain was designed and installed in the mid-1970s to showcase a portion of the 77 fragments recovered by the state.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can conduct a self-guided inspection of the meteorite surfaces. Photography is common, as the display is one of the few places globally where a large concentration of meteorites is accessible for public touching and viewing without barriers. The site serves as a central meeting point for walking tours of Windhoek’s central business district.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The fountain is located in a high-density commercial district with immediate access to 5G cellular coverage. Public restrooms are available in the adjacent Town Square and Wernhil malls. Numerous food vendors, banks, and pharmacies are located within a 50-meter radius of the display. Significant shade is provided by the surrounding multi-story buildings and mall awnings.

Best Time to Visit

The display is accessible 24 hours a day. For photography, mid-morning (09:00–11:00) provides the best direct light before the surrounding buildings cast deep shadows across the plaza. The site is most crowded during lunch hours (13:00–14:00) when local workers frequent the mall.

Facts & Legends

The Gibeon meteorites are famous for their Widmanstätten patterns, which are unique nickel-iron crystal structures visible only if the stones are sliced and etched with acid. A specific secret is that these fragments are legally protected under Namibian heritage law; it is a criminal offense to remove even a small piece of the material from the site or the country.

Nearby Landmarks

Zoo Park – 0.2km South

Kudu Statue – 0.3km North

Namibia Craft Centre – 0.4km Southwest

Christuskirche – 0.6km East

Independence Memorial Museum – 0.7km East