4. Kolmanskop ghost town
Ironically, this place is slowly being destroyed and preserved by the same thing. The Namib Desert.
Kolmanskop is a ghost town in Namibia, located someway off the port town of Luderitz.
The discovery of diamonds in the area in 1908 led to a diamond rush, and Kolmanskop was founded.
The town grew rapidly as miners flooded the area, becoming a prosperous mining community with a hospital, school, power station, ice factory, and sports hall.
It was a vibrant and wealthy town, and the residents enjoyed a high standard of living. The beautiful, intricate wall decorations that remain even today are striking and a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of those who constructed them. The rooms were spacious and airy, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of light. A reflection of the town's wealth and status.
However, as the diamond deposits dwindled in the 1920s, the town began to decline. By the early 1950s, it had been completely abandoned.
The strong winds that blow through the Namib desert constantly deposit sand and dust into the empty buildings, forming beautiful shapes and gradually filling them up over time. Despite the harsh conditions, the dry desert air has helped to preserve the buildings in Kolmanskop for future generations to explore and appreciate.
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