Nestled between Taarbæk and Klampenborg lies Cottageparken. This public park offers a serene escape on the Øresund coast. Let’s delve into the history of this green space.
Cottageparken is known for Den Røde Cottage and Den Gule Cottage. These buildings are the only remnants of Klampenborg Spa. The spa opened here in the 1840s. Today, these cottages serve as restaurants. Den Røde Cottage even boasts a Michelin star.
Originally, this land was part of Jægersborg Dyrehave. In 1765, botanist Johann Georg von Langen planted oak trees here. His goal was to alleviate Denmark’s timber shortage.
In 1841, physician Jón Hjaltalin studied spas in Germany. Inspired, he acquired land from Christian VIII in 1844. He sought permission to build Denmark’s first spa here. Architect Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, then working on Thorvaldsens Museum, designed the buildings. Klampenborg Vandkuur-, Brønd- og Søbadeanstalt opened in 1845.
The facility included cottages in English garden style. It also featured an amusement park with a concert hall and stalls. A new main building was added in 1866.
Tragedy struck in 1923. Most of Klampenborg Spa’s buildings burned down. In 1932, Arne Jacobsen’s Bellevue beach and bathing facility replaced the spa. In 1938, the Danish state took over the site. Most of the remaining buildings were demolished. The Red Cottage was repurposed as a forest officer’s house. It gained protected status in 1973.
Four of Klampenborg Spa’s buildings survived. Den Røde Cottage once served as the kitchen building.
Den Gule Cottage was once a gatehouse. Its thatched roof adds to its charm. The clock on its roof is special. Henrik Kühl, the clockmaker, later gained international acclaim for his clocks at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.
Today, Den Gule Cottage houses a restaurant. Peter Steen and Rikke Kold Black run it. They also run Raadvad Kro in Rådvad. With experience from top Danish restaurants, they focus on seasonal flavors. The menu is versatile. It includes fish, poultry, and game. A daily chalkboard dish offers surprises.
Cottageparken offers a blend of history and natural beauty. The surviving cottages provide a glimpse into the past. They remind us of Klampenborg Spa’s heyday. The park’s connection to Jægersborg Dyrehave adds to its allure. It is a place where history and nature intertwine, offering visitors a unique experience.