Das Alte Fort Museum

Das Alte Fort Museum

Perched up on top a hill overlooking the Lush Namibian town of Grootfontein you will find Das Alte Fort Museum also known as the Grootfontein Museum. The museum is named after the building in which it is housed, The Old Fort Museum. The building was originally a Schutztruppe fortress built in 1896, while the tower was added in 1904. With the position of being able to watch over the surrounding countryside, this tower was used to great advantage by the troops. The Schutztruppe (Protection Force) were the African colonial armed force of Imperial Germany and served from the late 19th century to 1918, when Germany lost its colonies.

After 1915 the building was occupied by the military magistrate and thereafter used for educational purposes. From 1923 to 1958 the building housed a school hostel and in 1975 The Fort which now houses the museum, was declared a national monument. 2 years after it was declared a monument the fort was renovated and it was only in 1983 that the museum was officially opened. The museum documents the history of the town and the Dorstland Trek. The museum is home to many displays, including more than 3,000 historical pieces, and a complete smithy which was used in the production of ox-wagons. For those interested in industrial history of that era, there is also an interesting outdoor display that is worth seeing.

Das Alte Fort Museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, 16:00 to 18:00, Wednesdays, 9:00 to 11:00. Special tours or opening times are available on request and entrance is free.