Recherchefotos

The photos Moritz Siebert took during a research trip to Togo in 2018 show the traces of German colonialism that are still visible today in the capital Lomé, such as the train station, the cathedral as well as the skeleton of the landing bridge—here the ships were loaded that exported goods produced by forced labor.
Another photo shows the Nachtigal Hospital Aného, where Dr. Fritz Liebl worked as a doctor; a hospital intended only for the treatment of German colonial officials. The graves of descendants of German fathers can be found in the German cemetery.

In 1987, the German colonial administration moved its headquarters to Lomé, which developed into an important trading center. The Lomé train station was the starting point of the railroad line to Aného, built from 1904. © Moritz Siebert
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Lomé was built from 1901 as part of the Catholic missionary work and consecrated 18 months later. It is located in the north of the Rue du Commerce, which was called Bremer Strasse under the colonial government. © Moritz Siebert
For the execution of the construction works of the metal landing bridge in Lomé from 1901 to 1904, the German colonial government enlisted the help of several German companies. The transport of the metal piers and rails was carried out by 350 forced laborers from the hinterland. © Moritz Siebert
The Nachtigal Hospital in Aného, where Dr. Liebl worked, was the first and most prestigious hospital in Togo during the German colonial period and was built in 1893 for the medical care of German colonial officials. Today, the building houses a school. © Moritz Siebert
At the turn of the century, the colonial government established German cemeteries to contain the escalating costs of repatriating the dead. The photo shows the cemetery of Aného. © Moritz Siebert
Today, not only German but also Togolese graves can be found in the Aného cemetery, although these often bear witness to German ancestors. © Moritz Siebert