The World's Most Extravagant Deserted Domains
1. Kolmanskop
Place: Namibia
Period: 1908
Expense: Not Specified
Kolmanskop, which translates to "Coleman's Head" in Afrikaans, is a haunting ghost town located in Namibia. The town was named after Johnny Coleman, a transport driver who parked his wagon next to a small hill near the settlement.
In 1908, diamonds were discovered in the area, leading to a rapid influx of miners and a bustling community. Kolmanskop quickly transformed from a quiet settlement into a thriving diamond mining town, filled with vibrant homes and facilities. However, as diamond resources dwindled, the town was eventually abandoned, leaving behind a fascinating yet eerie landscape of crumbling buildings and sand-filled interiors.
Location: Kolmanskop, Namibia
Source: © Shutterstock/Kanuman
Although the land was rightfully owned by the indigenous people of Africa, the German Empire annexed it, leading to the establishment of Kolmanskop as a small but extraordinarily prosperous mining village. The discovery of diamonds transformed the community into a bustling hub of activity.
However, by the end of World War II, the Germans had extracted every diamond from the surrounding fields, leading to the village's decline. By 1956, Kolmanskop was completely abandoned.
What’s particularly striking is that when the residents left, they abandoned their homes and belongings, leaving behind a haunting snapshot of life in the once-thriving town.
