05 Jul Hotell Siljansborg
Hotell Siljansborg ~ Rättvik, Sweden ~ 1940’s postcard
My brothers and sisters have heard about the Hotell Siljansborg in Rättvik for as long as we can remember. It is where our parents spent their honeymoon in January of 1945. Our Dad, Herman Allen, was an American internee in Sweden. Our mother, Hedvig Johnson, worked for OSS Stockholm (Office of Strategic Services.)
Herman knew the hotel well, since he had lived at the internment camp at Rättvik for more than a month, after his B-17, the Liberty Lady, force landed on the island of Gotland on March 6, 1944.
I want to thank Ian Engblom Wallberg for his help in finding the following information for me. During the school year 2006-2007, Ian was hosted by the Roswell Rotary Club as our GRSP student. The Georgia Rotary Student Program is unique to Georgia. Anywhere from fifty to seventy-five students from all over the world come to Georgia each year to study in our local universities. The whole purpose of GRSP is to foster world peace and understanding.
Since meeting Ian, and learning that he grew up in the area of Sweden that I’m writing about, I have called on him more than once to help me with translations. Today I emailed him to see if he knew anything about the Hotell Siljansborg. Ian googled in Swedish and almost immediately found just what I was looking for.
Thanks again, Ian!
The hotel was built in 1909, sited on Lake Siljan, the sixth largest lake in Sweden and for many years a recreation destination. From the beginning, Siljansborg attracted affluent guests. During the winters of 1911 and 1912, the whole hotel was rented by the King of Sweden, Gustav V, and his entourage.
Guests enjoyed the lake in the warmer weather and skiing in the winter.
In 1975, new owners constructed tourist cabins in the gardens and transformed Siljansborg into a “Hotel & Country Home.” The beautiful main building was torn down in 1982.
I will be visiting Rättvik next year … in the meantime I would love comments and additions from anyone reading this who has been there. THANKS, Pat
Lotta
Posted at 03:00h, 22 AprilWOW lovely to read about Siljansborg! I went to Siljansborg every winter during the 60’s and early 70’s – and so did my mother when she was young (she was born 1921). Very sad it is transformed to some cabin place 🙁 Rättvik is still a fantastic little town though 🙂
Pat
Posted at 05:48h, 22 AprilI am so glad to hear this. I will be there in May, and I am sad too that I will not be able to see the lovely old hotel. THANKS, Pat
Tiffany Fields
Posted at 05:31h, 20 DecemberMy boyfriend inherited a piece of paper with the “hotell” as the header predated 193_. And when you hold it to the light you can see the water markings. Let me know if you would like pictures
Pat DiGeorge
Posted at 06:58h, 12 FebruaryI would love to have a picture of this, THANKS!