03 Oct Hotell Persborg
The Persborg sign today … note that “Kulturpalatset” has been added above.
When my son and I were in Rättvik this year our guide Helena Englom first brought us to the site of the former Hotell Siljansborg where my parents honeymooned in January 1945. Today it is an empty grassy, wooded parcel of land. From there it was just a short ride to another area, also right on Lake Siljan. There was an old sign that marked the spot: Persborg. Above that word has been added: Kulturpalatset. “Palace of Culture.” From what I’ve found I think it is or has been the site of a young people’s camp for dance and theatre.
Today there is also a pier with a gazebo type building at the end, right on the lake. I found the history of it at a Rättvik website. The original steamboat pier facility was built at the beginning of the 1900’s then was lost sometime between 1925 and 1927 due to high water. It was replaced in 1928, and that building was demolished in 2002. In 2009 a brand new building with bridge was rebuilt. It can be rented out for special events between May and September.
There is also a very small building with the names Damernas (Ladies?) and Kärleksnästet. (cottage?) I can only assume that this is a relic from earlier years.
I’m hoping my readers will be able to help me here.
Hotell Persborg in all its glory … not sure what year.
All over the town of Rättvik I found pictures of the fabulous hotel that was once dominated this place. The Hotell Persborg. Once the railroad came to Rättvik in the late 1800’s many wealthy families would come to Lake Siljan to build grand homes and to vacation. The area was known as Sjurberg. Persborg had its own railway station. It was an eight hour trip from Stockholm.
At the beginning of the century Hilda Rehnström bought the Persborg boarding house and turned it into an international hotel, especially popular with artisans and musicians. Around 1947 she sold the hotel to a Stockholm banker. I haven’t found any evidence that this was a destination frequented by the American internees during World War II. I would love to know if anyone reading this knows differently.
There is a 1998 book titled Rättvik 100 år som turistort (Rättvik 100 years of Tourism) that tells the story of the history of the grand hotels that flourished there. I guess I’ll have to go back to Rättvik to find it!
Hotell Persborg … Then and Now
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