Alte Feste: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Historic building in Windhoek}} |
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{{Infobox museum |
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[[File:Alte Feste Windhoek 1891.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|The Alte Feste in 1891, shortly after completion]] |
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The '''Alte Feste''' ('''Old Fortress''') is a fortress and museum in [[Windhoek Central Business District|downtown]] [[Windhoek]], the capital of [[Namibia]]. It was designed by [[Curt von François]] and made provision for an inner courtyard with high walls and accommodation for the troops on the inside, as well as four towers. Set on a hill above the city, the Fort was completed in 1890 during the [[German South West Africa|German colonization of Namibia]] and is the oldest standing building in the city. The fort was never involved in any military action. |
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| native_name = Old Fortress |
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| image = Alte Feste Windhoek (Aussenansicht).jpg |
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| imagesize = 200px |
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| caption = The Alte Feste in April 2006 |
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| map_type = Namibia |
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| map_size = |
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| map_caption = |
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| established = 1890 |
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| location = Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia |
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| coordinates = |
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| type = Fortress and museum |
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| visitors = |
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| founder = Captain Curt von François |
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| owner = National Museum of Namibia |
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| website = [https://www.museums.com.na/museums/windhoek/national-museum-of-namibia National Museum of Namibia] |
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}} |
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The '''Alte Feste''' ({{langx|en|Old Fortress}}) is a fortress and museum in [[Windhoek Central Business District|downtown]] [[Windhoek]], the capital of [[Namibia]]. It is situated in Robert Mugabe Avenue, next to the [[Independence Memorial Museum (Namibia)|Independence Memorial Museum]].<ref name=Aboutus>{{cite web | url=http://www.natmus.cul.na/info/about.htm | title=About us | date=1 December 2003 | publisher=National Museum of Namibia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227070347/http://www.natmus.cul.na/info/about.htm | archive-date=27 December 2005}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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The Alte Feste was home to the [[German Empire|imperial German]] ''[[Schutztruppe]]'' (colonial military force) until 1915. With the occupation of Windhoek by [[South African Army#World War I|South African Union troops]]<ref>[http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad32 South African Union troops]</ref> in March 1915, it served as military headquarters for the South African Union troops.The Alte Feste was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a hostel for the [[Windhoek High School]]<ref>[http://www.whs-edu.com Windhoek High School]</ref> in 1935 and was declared a National Monument in 1957. The building was renovated extensively in 1963 and again in 1986. Colonial Windhoek was developed around the Fort.<ref>[http://www.travelbutlers.com/namibia/windhoek/ Windhoek, Namibia - TravelButlers.com]</ref> |
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The building was designed by captain [[Curt von François]], in order to serve as headquarters of the [[German Empire|imperial German]] ''[[Schutztruppe]]'' (colonial military force), during [[German South West Africa|German colonization of South West Africa]]. The location of Windhoek, which was deserted and completely destroyed at that time, was chosen because the Germans felt it would serve as a buffer zone between the [[Nama people|Nama]] and [[Herero people|Herero]] tribes. The fort was, however, never involved in any military action. |
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The foundation was laid on 18 October 1890 by the then ''Schutztruppe'' private [[Gustav Tünschel]]. The building was redesigned multiple times during the first years; its final layout was only completed in 1915.<ref name=reprint>{{cite news |
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==Modern== |
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|title=Die Alte Feste soll nicht sterben |
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The Alte Feste has been home to the historical section of the Windhoek State Museum since 1962. |
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|trans-title=Alte Feste must not perish |
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|language=German |
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|date=11 September 1962 |
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|work=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]] |
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|publisher=reprint on 11 Sept 2012}}</ref> It consists of an inner courtyard with high walls and accommodation for the troops on the inside, as well as four towers. The Alte Feste is the oldest surviving building in the city which subsequently developed around it. |
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After the [[World War I]] German surrender in [[South West Africa]], Windhoek was occupied by the [[South African Army]]<ref>[http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad32 South African Union troops]</ref> in March 1915. The Alte Feste now served as military headquarters for the South African Union troops. |
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In 1935 the fort was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a hostel for the adjacent [[Windhoek High School]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.whs-edu.com/ |title=Windhoek High School |access-date=2018-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005015818/http://www.whs-edu.com/ |archive-date=2010-10-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2012}} Already severely dilapidated, it was declared a National Monument in 1957. The building was renovated extensively in 1963.<ref>[http://www.travelbutlers.com/namibia/windhoek/ Windhoek, Namibia - TravelButlers.com]</ref> |
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In 2010, the [[Reiterdenkmal, Windhoek|Reiterdenkmal]], Windhoek's well-known equestrian monument, was placed in front of the Alte Feste.<ref name="centenary">{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2012/january/article/monuments-centenary-remembered/ |
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|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209003900/http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2012/january/article/monuments-centenary-remembered/ |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-date=9 December 2012 |
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|title=Monument's centenary remembered |
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|last=Bause |
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|first=Tanja |
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|date=30 January 2012 |
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|newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |
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}}</ref> It was removed and placed in storage on Christmas Day in 2013. |
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==Usage== |
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The building {{As of|2023|alt=today}} accommodates the historic collection of the [[National Museum of Namibia]].<ref name=Aboutus/> {{As of|2023}} ''Alte Feste'' is closed and in urgent need of renovation.<ref name=homeless>{{Cite news | title=Owela Museum reduced to rundown homeless shelter | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=15 March 2023 | page=6 | url=https://www.namibian.com.na/120759/read/Owela-Museum-reduced-to-rundown-homeless-shelter | access-date=16 March 2023 | archive-date=16 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316193758/https://www.namibian.com.na/120759/read/Owela-Museum-reduced-to-rundown-homeless-shelter | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is planned to repurpose the building into a centre of arts, craft, and heritage.<ref>{{Cite news | title=New lease of life for Alte Feste | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=6 March 2023 | page=14 | url=https://www.namibian.com.na/120452/read/New-lease-of-life-for-Alte-Feste}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Windhoek]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Windhoek]] |
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[[Category:1890 establishments in German South West Africa]] |
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[[Category:German-Namibian culture]] |
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[[Category:History of Windhoek]] |
[[Category:History of Windhoek]] |
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[[Category:National Monuments of Namibia]] |
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{{Africa-museum-stub}} |
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[[Category:Castle museums]] |
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[[de:Alte Feste (Windhoek)]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:29, 30 October 2024
Old Fortress | |
.jpg) The Alte Feste in April 2006 | |
  Location within Namibia | |
| Established | 1890 |
|---|---|
| Location | Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia |
| Type | Fortress and museum |
| Founder | Captain Curt von François |
| Owner | National Museum of Namibia |
| Website | National Museum of Namibia |
The Alte Feste (English: Old Fortress) is a fortress and museum in downtown Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It is situated in Robert Mugabe Avenue, next to the Independence Memorial Museum.[1]
History
[edit]The building was designed by captain Curt von François, in order to serve as headquarters of the imperial German Schutztruppe (colonial military force), during German colonization of South West Africa. The location of Windhoek, which was deserted and completely destroyed at that time, was chosen because the Germans felt it would serve as a buffer zone between the Nama and Herero tribes. The fort was, however, never involved in any military action.
The foundation was laid on 18 October 1890 by the then Schutztruppe private Gustav Tünschel. The building was redesigned multiple times during the first years; its final layout was only completed in 1915.[2] It consists of an inner courtyard with high walls and accommodation for the troops on the inside, as well as four towers. The Alte Feste is the oldest surviving building in the city which subsequently developed around it.
After the World War I German surrender in South West Africa, Windhoek was occupied by the South African Army[3] in March 1915. The Alte Feste now served as military headquarters for the South African Union troops.
In 1935 the fort was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a hostel for the adjacent Windhoek High School.[4][failed verification] Already severely dilapidated, it was declared a National Monument in 1957. The building was renovated extensively in 1963.[5]
In 2010, the Reiterdenkmal, Windhoek's well-known equestrian monument, was placed in front of the Alte Feste.[6] It was removed and placed in storage on Christmas Day in 2013.
Usage
[edit]The building today[update] accommodates the historic collection of the National Museum of Namibia.[1] As of 2023[update] Alte Feste is closed and in urgent need of renovation.[7] It is planned to repurpose the building into a centre of arts, craft, and heritage.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "About us". National Museum of Namibia. 1 December 2003. Archived from the original on 27 December 2005.
- ^ "Die Alte Feste soll nicht sterben" [Alte Feste must not perish]. Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). reprint on 11 Sept 2012. 11 September 1962.
- ^ South African Union troops
- ^ "Windhoek High School". Archived from the original on 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
- ^ Windhoek, Namibia - TravelButlers.com
- ^ Bause, Tanja (30 January 2012). "Monument's centenary remembered". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012.
- ^ "Owela Museum reduced to rundown homeless shelter". The Namibian. 15 March 2023. p. 6. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "New lease of life for Alte Feste". The Namibian. 6 March 2023. p. 14.