Hotel Koldingfjord's history

Hotel Koldingfjord's original name was "Julemærkesanatoriet". It was postmaster Einar Holbøll who came up with the idea of ​​selling Christmas stamps. The idea was that everyone, rich and poor, should help help weak and sick children. When people sent Christmas cards to each other, they gave 2 øre extra for a Christmas stamp, which was stuck next to the stamp. In this way, they helped to finance the construction of several sanatoriums. Hotel Koldingfjord was the first Christmas stamp sanatorium to be built in Denmark.

The Christmas stamp sale started in 1904 and brought in 67.000 kr. It was decided that the money would be used to build a sanatorium for children affected by pulmonary tuberculosis. After much tug-of-war, the land Louisehøj in Kolding and the adjacent hills were purchased. The Christmas stamp sanatorium was built in the years 1907-1911. The construction was budgeted at kr. 600.000, but the final price was kr. 1 million. This was due to very major problems with the subsoil, which was very soft. They had to create a stable subsoil by piling. This means that piles are driven into the ground to prevent the construction from sliding into the fjord. It is said that as much has been built underground as above!

From 1911 to 1960, the buildings functioned as a sanatorium for children affected by tuberculosis, thus becoming an important piece in the fight against the feared disease.

The buildings had different functions. Where the terrace is today, there was an outdoor sun lounge. In the conference hall there was a kitchen, a dining room for the children and the employees, a "bathroom" for the light baths and a craft room. In the reception there was a large lounge and in one of the hallways, where there are rooms today, there were doctors' rooms and an X-ray room as well as large infirmaries. On the first floor there were small rooms in the middle, and infirmaries on each side. On the top floor there was an operating room and a dental clinic in the middle, and also infirmaries on each side.

The building behind the main building, where the Magnolia and Beech Halls are located today, was originally a gymnasium and boiler room, while the side buildings, which we today call Dagmar's Palace and Christian's Palace, were used as a school and office.

After 1960, the buildings were taken over by the Vejle County Mental Health Service. From 1983 to 1987, most of the buildings stood empty until the Nurses' Property Company bought the buildings with the aim of building a modern hotel and conference center. As an institution, the Julemærkesanatorium's time was over in 1983.

From 1988 to 1990, the listed buildings were renovated and rebuilt. The interior of the property has undergone a complete renovation and modernization, and it has been equipped with everything that belongs to a modern hotel and conference center. On May 1, 1990, the work was completed, and the property opened under the name Hotel Koldingfjord.

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