Kolmanskop Ghost Town Buried in Sand

2015-10-11T15:05:12.000Z

The German-influenced African village of Kolmanskop was once a bustling and exciting place in the early 1900s, after diamonds were discovered. And during World War I, Kolmanskop was one of the richest towns in southern Namibia, complete with a hospital, casino, ice factory, and electrical plant.

By 1960, it was an abandoned ghost town, a tourist location never to be revived. Today, it attempts to not fall victim to the desert as sands slowly fill the houses and buildings left in Kolmanskop.

Business Insider's Hollis Johnson wrote about Kolmanskop a few months ago. Today, Instagram is promoting the town of one of the world's few truly abandoned places, and the photos are spectacular, if not slightly eerie to look at.

Take a look at some of the photos that tell the story of once-thriving village of Kolmanskop.

Welcome to Kolmanskop, a German colonial town in the Namib desert in southern Africa.

In 1908, a miner found a massive diamond beneath the sand. People, excited for what else might be hiding, flocked and set up shop. For awhile the town was thriving.

Kolmanskop was built on wealth. Though small (the highest population was 1,200), its residents lived lavishly.

There are restored rooms on display, like this bedroom.

There was even a bowling alley called the "skittle."

But that didn't last for long. The town was abandoned in 1954 — and was never revived.

The ghost town of Kolmanskop, located in the Namibian Desert, was once one of the richest towns in the whole of Africa. The town was formed after diamonds were discovered nearby, and as such was built on enormous wealth. The architecture mirrors the architectural style of a decadent German town, with amenities such as a ballroom, power station, ice-factory and casino. The town declined after the supply of diamonds began to dry up, until it was eventually abandoned in 1954. Now, just 60 years later, the desert is reclaiming the land – knee-deep sand dunes are advancing through the buildings, and the very fabric of the brick exteriors is being sand blasted away by the ever-present winds. Via @mtwara99 for #EarthOnLocation.

A photo posted by BBC Earth (@bbcearth) on Sep 6, 2015 at 4:32am PDTSep 6, 2015 at 4:32am PDT

Now, the sand slowly threatens what's left of Kolmanskop, filling up every crevice.

Instagram is promoting photos of the ghost town this week on its "Discover" page. The hashtag for #Kolmanskop has less than 1,300 photos attached to it.

Ghost town #kolmanskop #Namibia #nature credits to Dan ;)

A photo posted by Jho (@mademoiselle_jho) on Jul 21, 2015 at 1:39pm PDTJul 21, 2015 at 1:39pm PDT

Tourists — and especially photographers — have a field day when they visit. Here's a photo by @NatureTravelCulture. "I just couldn't resist getting in the bathtub for a selfie!" he captions the photo.

I just couldn't resist getting in the bathtub for a selfie! Look a little serious and haggard... probably would have helped if @jenniferilene could have used her magic. Check out her work if you don't know her. #kolmanskop #Namibia

A photo posted by Gavin Jackson (@naturetravelculture) on Jul 30, 2014 at 12:32pm PDTJul 30, 2014 at 12:32pm PDT

Kolmanskop isn't the easiest place to visit. You need a special permit to get there. The town is part of a “forbidden zone” operated by De Beers and the Namibian government.

Maybe that's why there are so few original photos of the ghost town.

Ghost window #namibia #kolmanskop #luderitz #africa #phantom #wreck #desert #goldmine #windows #window

A photo posted by @remomaria on Oct 5, 2015 at 4:54am PDTOct 5, 2015 at 4:54am PDT

This is a poem that's Instagrammed under the hashtag #Kolmanskop. "Diamonds are not eternal," it reads. "Greed is a permanent reminder of how weak we were."

#Kolmanskop A #poem from a collection of #poetry called #CityInTheLandOfNod

A photo posted by Samuli Lampinen (@snufkinsam) on Jul 23, 2015 at 1:07am PDTJul 23, 2015 at 1:07am PDT

If you want to visit, remember — the sand will not wait for you.

Lost child. #Kolmanskop #Namibia

A photo posted by Sha (@shalanemaile) on Apr 5, 2015 at 5:48am PDTApr 5, 2015 at 5:48am PDT

An eerie look at the African ghost town that's slowly being buried beneath the sand

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An eerie look at the African ghost town that's slowly being buried beneath the sand

Welcome to Kolmanskop, a German colonial town in the Namib desert in southern Africa.

In 1908, a miner found a massive diamond beneath the sand. People, excited for what else might be hiding, flocked and set up shop. For awhile the town was thriving.

Kolmanskop was built on wealth. Though small (the highest population was 1,200), its residents lived lavishly.

There are restored rooms on display, like this bedroom.

There was even a bowling alley called the "skittle."

But that didn't last for long. The town was abandoned in 1954 — and was never revived.

Now, the sand slowly threatens what's left of Kolmanskop, filling up every crevice.

Instagram is promoting photos of the ghost town this week on its "Discover" page. The hashtag for #Kolmanskop has less than 1,300 photos attached to it.

Tourists — and especially photographers — have a field day when they visit. Here's a photo by @NatureTravelCulture. "I just couldn't resist getting in the bathtub for a selfie!" he captions the photo.

Kolmanskop isn't the easiest place to visit. You need a special permit to get there. The town is part of a “forbidden zone” operated by De Beers and the Namibian government.

Maybe that's why there are so few original photos of the ghost town.

This is a poem that's Instagrammed under the hashtag #Kolmanskop. "Diamonds are not eternal," it reads. "Greed is a permanent reminder of how weak we were."

If you want to visit, remember — the sand will not wait for you.

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know