Kilsbergen is the name of a hilly area mainly consisting of forests and lakes near the village where I grew up. In the early 20th century the need for tuberculosis sanatoriums were growing rapidly, and new sanatoriums were being built all over the country. Kilsbergen with its fresh air and distance from nearby towns provided a perfect location. Two sanatoriums were built here, separated from each other. Hålahult sanatorium was finished in 1900, and Garphytte sanatorium opened its doors in 1913. They were big and luxurious, and open to both rich and poor patients. In the 1950s, when the use of antibiotics increased and the old treatments for tuberculosis became obsolete, there was no need for the sanatoriums anymore. Both Hålahult and Garphytte sanatorium continued to be up and running until the 1990s, but for different purposes than their original use. But the large buldings were difficult to maintain and finally the two sanatoriums were abandoned. Garphytte sanatorium was demolished in 2005.
Sanatorium notes explores four sanatoriums at different locations in Sweden: Hålahult sanatorium, Garphytte sanatorium, Romanäs sanatorium (where the poet Harriet Löwenhjelm stayed and eventually died) and Hällnäs sanatorium.
Sanatorium notes, 2019.
Video, 11 min.
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Video, 11 min.
