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Near Douala’s lively port lies a building filled with history: the Old Bachelor House of the Woermann Line. This iconic structure, a must-see in Douala, tells stories of colonial power, ambition, and separation. Built in the early 1900s, it captures a significant era when Douala was part of Germany’s influence in Kamerun.
The Woermann Line and Its Place in Douala’s History
The Bachelor House emerged alongside the rise of the Woermann Line. Adolph Woermann, a German businessman, convinced Otto von Bismarck to establish a protectorate in Kamerun. This marked Germany’s colonial footprint in Douala. Woermann’s trading company soon exchanged European goods, including firearms and alcohol, for Cameroonian resources like palm oil, ivory, and rubber.
As the company grew, Woermann built residences for his employees in Douala. The Bachelor House provided housing for single German workers, giving them a place close to their work yet separate from the local community. Today, the Bachelor House preserves this history, capturing the unique colonial landscape that once shaped Douala.
Life Inside the Bachelor House
Walking through the Bachelor House, one can almost feel the presence of the young German men who once lived here. With four separate apartments, the structure housed these employees, carefully isolated from local residents. A rear passage connected the main house to a “service pavilion” behind it. In this separate area, local staff worked in kitchens and laundry spaces, kept distant from the German occupants.
Through our Douala walking city tour, we explore these elements of Douala’s colonial history. Each room tells a story. These walls reflect the routines, restrictions, and divisions of that time. The Bachelor House captures a chapter in Douala’s history that few other buildings reveal.
The Bachelor House Today
In 1941, Germany’s influence in Cameroon began to fade, and the Bachelor House changed hands. Over time, it passed into private ownership. Yet, the building’s structure remains as it was, preserving the past and offering a rare historical experience. For visitors interested in things to do in Douala, the Bachelor House stands as one of the city’s unique landmarks, reflecting an era that still influences the city today.
The Bachelor House invites you to look back in time. For those curious about tours in Douala, this historic site offers a memorable journey. To learn more about this historial building, you can always book a Douala walking city tour, where we connect visitors to Cameroon’s deep and layered history.
