Villa Lido

At Villa Lido, whispers of history mingle with the gentle lapping of Djurgårdsbrunnsviken’s waters against the shore. Villa Lido stands as a testament to time. It has witnessed eras unfold since its construction in 1836. It was built for the widowed Countess Christina Charlotta Piper, a close friend of King Karl XIV Johan. The king himself granted permission for this Italianate gem, designed by Stockholm’s city architect, Carl Christoffer Gjörwell. Its name, Lido, evokes images of the famed Italian seaside resort near Venice, a fitting moniker for this villa overlooking the water. The original construction included not only the main house but also a charming hexagonal gazebo, a shower house, and an orangery, hinting at a life of leisure and refinement. Villa Lido changed hands several times over the years. After Countess Piper’s death in 1860, it passed to merchant Claes Peyron, then his son Adolf, and later to another merchant, Patrik Bodé. In 1898, the Salvation Army almost acquired Villa Lido, intending to transform it into a home for “fallen women”. However, the colonel of the nearby Livregementets Dragoons regiment protested “with concern for his troops,” preventing the sale. Instead, Carl Lindqvist, a restaurateur at Djurgårdsbrunns värdshus, purchased the villa. He added a large glass veranda facing the bay and revitalized the surrounding park, leaving his own mark on Villa Lido. The renowned poet Carl Rupert Nyblom called Villa Lido home from 1897 to 1907. After his passing, the villa was acquired by magazine publisher Stig M. H:son Björkman, who modernized its amenities with water, sewage, and central heating. In 1952, radiologist Nils Westermark purchased and renovated Villa Lido. He enlisted landscape architect Gösta Reuterswärd to redesign the gardens, further enhancing the villa’s beauty. Upon Westermark’s death in 1980, his daughters, Marianne and Berit, inherited this historic estate, ensuring its legacy continued. Today, Villa Lido also serves as the residence of Benny Andersson of ABBA fame.