Tintenpalast

Windhoek


The former administrative headquarters of German South West Africa have been given a new mandate as the Namibian parliament building. As a fitting homage to the bureaucracy of government, the name of the building means ‘Ink Palace’, in honour of all the ink spent on typically excessive official paperwork. The building is remarkable mainly for its construction from indigenous materials.

The surrounding gardens, which were laid out in the 1930s, include an olive grove and a bowling green. In the front, have a look at Namibia’s first post-independence monument, a bronze-cast statue of the Herero chief Hosea Kutako, who was best known for his vehement opposition to South African rule.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Windhoek attractions

1. Christuskirche

0.18 MILES

Windhoek’s best-recognised landmark, and something of an unofficial symbol of the city, this German Lutheran church stands on a traffic island and lords…

2. Independence Memorial Museum

0.19 MILES

Opened in 2014, this museum is dedicated to the country's anticolonial and independence struggle. The first floor tells the story of Namibia under…

3. Kaiserliche Realschule

0.23 MILES

Windhoek’s first German primary school was built in 1908, and opened the following year with a class size of 74 students. Notice the curious turret with…

4. Kriegerdenkmal

0.27 MILES

Zoo Park's rather anachronous mate to the elephant column is the Kriegerdenkmal, topped by a rather frightening golden imperial eagle, which was dedicated…

5. Old Magistrates’ Court

0.29 MILES

This old courthouse was built in 1898 for Carl Ludwig, the state architect, but it was never used and was eventually drafted into service as the…

7. Zoo Park

0.31 MILES

Although this leafy park served as a public zoo until 1962, today it functions primarily as a picnic spot and shady retreat for lunching office workers…

8. Elephant Column

0.34 MILES

Zoo Park’s prominent elephant column was designed by Namibian sculptor Dörthe Berner.