The city center is characterized by a proliferation of German-style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Early buildings such as Other Feasts (old fort), Christuskirche and Tintenpalast (parliament buildings) are of particular
historical interest. In a wonderful display of irony, the Fort Other Feast, once a bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum, which places a special emphasis on the fight for Namibian freedom and independence, right in front of the fort
is the iconic Reiterdenkmal (equestrian memorial). Other notable buildings in Windhoek include St Mary's Cathedral and Turnhalle Building.
Windhoek had many names, many inspired by the hot springs found in the area, the oldest of which were Damara, Ais, Gams. The area was also called Queen Adelaide Bath for a period of time. Several opinions are given for the origin of the current name, the most
popular of which is that, just before 1840, Jonker Afrikaner, a Nama leader, named the Winterhoek area, after his farm in South Africa, where he was born. Windhoek, or the corner of the wind, is a corruption of this name.
During the day, the city center has a European culture of cafés, dominates the German cuisine, but the Namibian influence can be found in the quantity and quality of the meat offered.
Nightlife in the city center has grown with the population, with a decent amount of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. There is still a fair amount of nightlife going on outside the city center, in the suburbs and in the city areas. During the South African
occupation, the city was divided into three zones; the central suburbs for whites, Khomasdal for the colored and Katutura for the black. Katutura and Khomasdal have a vibrant nightlife, and on the weekend the party is non-stop. For unannounced visits to one
of these disadvantaged areas can be extremely discouraging and unsafe.
Windhoek also plays an important role in the beer industry in Namibia, it is a great place to waste time while drinking or drinking a cold beer. There are also a number of private hospitals, a state-run hospital, banks, pharmacies (with 24-hour ATMs), supermarkets,
bakeries and clothing stores. There is a large mall: the Maerua Mall, equipped with an indoor pool and gym and a smaller one at Post Street Mall, City Square and Wernhill Park, all worth visiting. There are also 2 industrial areas, north and south, for the
purchase of auto parts.
