Lier sykehus, Norwegian psychiatric hospital
Lier sykehus is a former psychiatric hospital in the municipality of Lier, Norway, which opened in 1926 and could accommodate up to 600 patients. The site consists of several large buildings in a classical style, many of which now stand empty or have been demolished, while the remaining structures show clear signs of decay.
The project began in the late 1800s with the placement of 15 patients at a farm in Tranby, leading to what became known as the Lier colonies. A district doctor purchased properties in 1921 to build a larger facility, which opened five years later as Lier asyl and was later renamed Lier sykehus in 1959.
The hospital name reflects its location in the municipality of Lier, where it became part of everyday life for decades. Many families in the area had relatives or acquaintances who worked or received treatment there, making the site deeply rooted in local memory.
Access to the site is via main roads around Lier, and the area is mostly flat and easy to walk through. Visitors should note that many buildings stand empty or are closed off, so any tour should remain limited to the outer grounds.
Some of the buildings were used during the 1930s and 1940s for controversial medical experiments, including lobotomies and electroshock therapy. Photographers and curious explorers now visit the decaying structures, whose images have spread worldwide and given the place an unusual notoriety.
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