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Lüderitz: Goerke Haus (The Blue House), Namibia
John Fittin
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High up near Nautilus Hill, on Diamantberg at the end of Zeppelin Street, a beautiful pale-blue building with a terracotta roof is raised up above the level of the road. This is Goerke House. It is the town’s best preserved historical building, visible from around town, and if you visit nothing else in Lüderitz, make sure you see this.
Hans Goerke was born in Germany in 1874 and arrived in German South West Africa with the Schutztruppe in 1904. In 1907 he became provisions inspector for the German forces – just before diamonds were discovered near Kolmanskop. By the end of 1909 he had resigned from the army and was making a fortune in the diamond rush, which enabled him to have this house built between October 1909 and September 1910. It was then valued at 70,000 Marks (Ł3,500/US$5,250). It is one of Lüderitz’s so-called diamond palaces, and is thought to have been designed by a German architect, Otto Ertl. Although it was built during the art nouveau period (jugendstil in German), 1890–1920, it isn’t typical of that style.
Goerke left Namibia for Germany in 1912. In 1920 the house was bought by Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM) – the forerunner of the present-day NAMDEB Diamond Corporation (which is now a partnership between South Africa’s huge De Beers and the Namibian Government). In 1944 they sold it back to the government of South West Africa for Ł2,404 (US$3,606), and the house became the residence of the local magistrate, and hence known as the Drostdy.
In 1981 the magistrate was recalled to Keetmanshoop – Lüderitz just didn’t have enough crime – and the CDM repurchased the house and restored it for use as a VIP guesthouse.
There is an informative small leaflet about the house (see Further Reading). Get one from the curator before you look around if possible. It notes some of the interesting art nouveau details to look out for, including:
The flamingo motifs used on the stained glass windows. The side profile of the flamingos’ necks is an appropriately wavy form for the art nouveau style.
The decorative detail on either side of the hat and coat stand in the hall resembles Egyptian papyrus bells. Early arts nouvaeux took inspiration from the shapes of plants
The mix of artistic styles was typical of art nouveau: Roman arches over the stairwell, supported by an Egyptian lotus column, capped by a Grecian doric capital.
The posts at the foot of the stairs resemble dentilled Gothic spires.
Other interesting features of the house include:
The carpets and curtains which, although new, are typical of the period around 1910.
The light fittings, some of which are original, as seen in the old photographs on display, are classic examples of the art nouveau style.
The stunning pine flooring which is original, though it was covered in patterned linoleum during Goerke’s time – a little of which remains in the study.
The stained glass windows at the entrance and on the stairs which are both original.
The friezes on the walls which have been restored, and the kitchens and bathrooms which have been modernised so that guests of NAMDEB can stay here.
Moves are afoot to have the house’s original furniture sent back from South Africa, where it was taken years ago. However, the current furniture, although not original, is beautiful, from the piano with ivory keys to marble-topped dressing tables in the bedrooms and oak furniture around the lounge. Don’t miss it.
Open: Times limited to Mon–Fri: 14.00–15.00, Sat 16.00–17.00
Costs: N$5 per person.
More info on: www.namibiatourism.com
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