Sandefjord Spa

Sandefjord Spa (Norwegian: Sandefjord Kurbad, often shortened to Kurbadet), was a spa in Sandefjord, Norway, established by Heinrich Arnold Thaulow in 1837.[4][5] The main building from 1899 is one of the largest wooden buildings in Norway[6] and in the Nordic countries overall.[7][8] Kurbadet was one of Europe's most visited baths in the late 1800s.[9] Royalty and Prime Ministers from throughout Europe visited the spa in the late 1800s.[10] It was the first spa in Sandefjord and functioned as a medical institution focusing on the treatment of symptoms for rheumatic diseases. A majority of spa visitors were from Norway, but international guests from Germany, Britain and the United States also visited Kurbadet.[11]

The 1899 "Kurbadet" in Sandefjord, Norway is made in dragestil ("style of a dragon").[1][2][3]

The spa was open from 1837 until 1939, when it became a municipal property.[12] The buildings are now housing a café, bar, gallery, and a host of local associations.[13] The bath's original building from 1899 is made in style of a dragon[14] and is located in the city centre. Tours of Kurbadet can be scheduled.[15][16]

Badeparken, or "the Bathing Park", is located nearby and was established by the spa in 1902.[17][18]

History

The spa first opened its doors on 1 August 1837. The original installations were based on seawater tub baths and mud baths. When a sulfur source was found in 1838, the spa began offering sulfurous water for bathing. The spa became one of the most popular spas in Europe but fell into disrepair after World War II. The city council voted in 1980 to restore the spa as a cultural monument.[19]

Sandefjord Spa was established in the mid-1800s by Dr Thaulow, the city's first physician.[20] It was located in a large wooden structure at Bryggegaten, and guests were treated sulphur baths and were offered saltwater baths at Strømbadet. Among the spa's notable visitors were Henrik Ibsen, Svend Foyn, Camilla Collett, Adolph Tidemand, and members of the royal family. The spa later expanded when Dr Thaulow purchased Hjertnes Hovedgård, a large farm by the city harbor, now home to Park Hotel. The building, Socitetsbygningen, was equipped with a restaurant, reading hall, smoking room and pool tables. The bath's own orchestra practiced in the hall.[21][22]

Notable visitors
Henrik Ibsen visiting Kurbadet, summer of 1900.

Some notable visitors to the spa included:[23][24]

References
  1. Olstad, Finn (1995). Sandefjords historie Bind 1: Strandsitter og verdensborger. Sandefjord Kommune. Page 57. ISBN 9788299059572.
  2. Lee, Phil (2012). The Rough Guide To Norway. Rough Guides. Page 118. ISBN 978-1405389716.
  3. Schmidt, Martin (2020). Norwegen. Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump. Page 108. ISBN 9783831746248.
  4. Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 71. ISBN 9788283301137.
  5. Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. Page 303. ISBN 978-82-994567-5-3.
  6. Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (1985). Sandefjord: A modern city with vast potential. Grafisk Studio. Page 51. ISBN 82-90636-00-8.
  7. "Kurbadet 1837-1939".
  8. https://sandefjordkurbad.no/
  9. Jøranlid, Marianne (1996). 40 trivelige turer i Sandefjord og omegn. Vett Viten. Page 36. ISBN 9788241202841.
  10. George, Francis Stevens (2017). Camp NoE. Lulu Publications, Inc. Page 50. ISBN 9781387047680.
  11. Schmidt, Martin (2020). Norwegen. Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump. Page 107. ISBN 9783831746248.
  12. Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. Page 354. ISBN 978-82-994567-5-3.
  13. "Omvisning på Kurbadet". www.visitnorway.no. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12.
  14. Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (1985). Sandefjord: A modern city with vast potential. Grafisk Studio. Page 51. ISBN 82-90636-00-8.
  15. "What´s on?".
  16. "Sightseeing by walking 2,5 hours guided tour in town - Cruise Norway".
  17. Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. p. 302. ISBN 978-82-994567-5-3.
  18. Hutchings, Jane (2003). Scandinavia. APA Publications. Page 170. ISBN 9789812349071.
  19. Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forl. Page 21. ISBN 8290636024.
  20. Olstad, Finn (1995). Sandefjords historie Bind 1: Strandsitter og verdensborger. Sandefjord Kommune. Page 58. ISBN 9788299059572.
  21. Holskjær, Lars (2017). Kamper uten tall. Forlagshuset i Vestfold. Page 199. ISBN 9788293407294.
  22. "Sandefjord bibliotek - Tema - Sandefjord bad -Kurbadet 1837-1987 - introduction".
  23. Olstad, Finn (1995). Sandefjords historie Bind 1: Strandsitter og verdensborger. Sandefjord Kommune. Page 60. ISBN 9788299059572.
  24. Fagerli, Torkel (2004). “Kulturminner: Kongelig besøk ved Sandefjord Bad i 1855 - Kronprinsesse Lovise” (in Norwegian). Sandar historielag. Retrieved on August 24, 2021, from the National Library of Norway at https://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2016030868078

59.1282°N 10.2285°E / 59.1282; 10.2285

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