Alte Feste and the Owela museum
The whitewashed ramparts of Alte Feste, Windhoek’s oldest surviving building, date from 1890-92. It originally served as the headquarters of the Schutztruppe, which arrived in 1889 under the command of Major Curt von Francois. Minor alterations of made in 1901 didn’t affect the overall character. Today it houses the historical section of the State Museum, which contains memorabilia and photos from the colonial period as well as indigenous artifacts. The highlight is the superb display covering Namibia’s struggle for independence.

National Gallery
The national Gallery (061) 231160), on the corner of Robert Mugabe Ave and John Meinert Strasse, contains a permanent collection of works reflecting Namibia’s historical and natural heritage. It also hosts visiting exhibition.

Tsumeb Mining Museum
Tsumeb’s history is told in this museum, housed in the old German private school, which dates from 1925. The building served two brief periods as a school and also did a stint as a hospital for German troops. In addition to outstanding mineral displays (I guarantee you’ll never have seen anything like psitticinite!), mining machinery, stuffed birds and Himba and Herero artifacts the museum holds lost of militaria, including weapons recovered from Lake Otjikoto. This was part of a dump of military materials, including German and South African field guns, cannons and vehicle, which was abandoned by German troops prior to their surrender to the South Africans in 1915. Entry cost US$1 and it’s open from 9 am to noon and from 3 to 6 pm weekdays and 9 am to noon Saturday.

Alte Feste and the Owela museum
The whitewashed ramparts of Alte Feste, Windhoek’s oldest surviving building, date from 1890-92. It originally served as the headquarters of the Schutztruppe, which arrived in 1889 under the command of Major Curt von Francois. Minor alterations of made in 1901 didn’t affect the overall character. Today it houses the historical section of the State Museum, which contains memorabilia and photos from the colonial period as well as indigenous artifacts. The highlight is the superb display covering Namibia’s struggle for independence.

National Gallery
The national Gallery (061) 231160), on the corner of Robert Mugabe Ave and John Meinert Strasse, contains a permanent collection of works reflecting Namibia’s historical and natural heritage. It also hosts visiting exhibition.

Tsumeb Mining Museum
Tsumeb’s history is told in this museum, housed in the old German private school, which dates from 1925. The building served two brief periods as a school and also did a stint as a hospital for German troops. In addition to outstanding mineral displays (I guarantee you’ll never have seen anything like psitticinite!), mining machinery, stuffed birds and Himba and Herero artifacts the museum holds lost of militaria, including weapons recovered from Lake Otjikoto. This was part of a dump of military materials, including German and South African field guns, cannons and vehicle, which was abandoned by German troops prior to their surrender to the South Africans in 1915. Entry cost US$1 and it’s open from 9 am to noon and from 3 to 6 pm weekdays and 9 am to noon Saturday.