“Saga’s sacred place.” Can you feel the echoes of Norse mythology here at Villa Sagatun? It stands proudly. Villa Sagatun offers a glimpse into a unique architectural style. It embodies the fornnordisk stil or Old Norse style.
Villa Sagatun was built in 1881. Gustaf Retzius and his wife Anna Hierta-Retzius commissioned it. The villa occupies a prime location. It is perched on a height in Hägersten. It offers stunning views of Mälaren and Klubbensborg.
Gustaf and Anna Retzius were avid travelers. They undertook many ethnographic research trips. A trip to Norway profoundly impacted them. They were deeply impressed by Norway’s stave churches. These churches featured rich wood ornamentation. Inspired, they decided to build a summer retreat. It was to be a place of natural beauty near Stockholm. They acquired land in Klubbensborg for this purpose.
Carl Curman designed “Curmans villa” in Lysekil. It served as inspiration for Villa Sagatun. The Retzius family were close friends with the Curman family. They commissioned a similar building. Ekmans Mekaniska snickerifabrik on Kungsholmen built Curmans villa. This factory specialized in this type of building.
Ekmans Mekaniska snickerifabrik also built Sagatun. It was placed on a high stone base. The ground floor features horizontal timber. The upper floor has a post construction. Originally, the upper floor had standing panels. These panels were painted with oil paint. The ground floor featured untreated timber.
Villa Sagatun boasts imaginative decorations. These include dragon heads, verandas and balconies. Also included are svalgångar that are open air corridors and arched windows. Initially, the roof was covered with shingles. This was soon replaced with tile. The grandest room is on the upper floor. It is a höganloftsal. This hall features an open roof truss. Its decor is in the Old Norse style. Sayings from the Edda were carved into the roof beams.
Villa Sagatun became a gathering place. The Retzius couple hosted prominent artists and writers. Viktor Rydberg and Zacharias Topelius were among the guests.
After Gustaf Retzius died in 1919, he bequeathed Villa Sagatun. It went to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The academy rented out the building. Later, private individuals owned the house. Some neglected the building. Others made questionable renovations. The current owners took possession in 1996.
Villa Sagatun stands as a testament. It reflects the architectural trends. It showcases the cultural interests of its time. It is a reminder of Gustaf and Anna Retzius. They left an indelible mark on Stockholm’s landscape. It earned a blamarking from the Stockholm City Museum. This means the building has significant cultural and historical value. As you stand here, imagine the conversations. Envision the artistic collaborations. Feel the echoes of a bygone era at Villa Sagatun.