Place to Visit: Windhoek

In downtown Windhoek it is often the many examples of German colonial architecture under the dazzling blue African sky, which are selected as subjects for photos: the equestrian monument commemorating the casualties of the 1904 uprising; behind it the Alte Feste fort, lined by palm trees; Christuskirche (Christ’s Church) in front of the well-kept gardens of Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the House of Parliament; and the neatly preserved railway station northwest of the city centre.

In the pedestrian area of Post Mall Street you come across a fountain, without water, which features pieces from the famous meteorite shower of Gibeon. Should you be looking for souvenirs - this is where you find them: the well-stocked street market around the fountain is a treasure trove of wood carvings, baskets and plenty more. Scores of shops in the city specialise in high-quality jewelery, gemstones, minerals, leather goods or carpets made from Karakul wool, to name but a few.