Schwerinsburg
Schwerinsburg ('Schwerin's castle') is the biggest of three castles in Windhoek, Namibia. Today it is the private residence of the Italian ambassador in Namibia.
| Schwerinsburg | |
|---|---|
| Windhoek, Namibia | |
Schwerinsburg | |
| Type | Hilltop castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Condition | Intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1890 — 1913 |
| Built by | Wilhelm Sander |
| In use | Embassy |
History
During the time of the construction of Alte Feste in 1890, the tower of Schwerinsburg was built by Curt von François, commissioner of German South-West Africa. In 1904, Schutztruppe (the German colonial forces) sold it to architect Wilhelm Sander who converted it into a beer garden and named it Sperlingslust (lit. 'Sparrows' delight').[1]
In 1913, Hans Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, governor of the Gobabis District of German South-West Africa, bought Sperlingslust from Sander and engaged him to convert it into a castle. It was later named Schwerinsburg after the new owner. Today it is the private residence of the Italian ambassador in Namibia.[1]