Fridhem, Historic villa near Högklint, Gotland, Sweden.
Fridhem is a three-storey wooden villa near Högklint on Gotland, about six kilometres south of Visby. Built in Swiss style by Adolf W. Edelsvärd, it has a large terrace and a glazed veranda facing the sea. The grounds also hold a bathing house, guesthouse, stables and a park with terraces and rose beds. It now operates as Fridhems Pensionat, a summer guesthouse and café.
The villa was built between 1860 and 1861 as a summer residence for Princess Eugenie, daughter of King Oscar I. She chose this location because of Gotland's mild climate.
The name Fridhem means "peace home" in Swedish. Princess Eugenie, an artistically ambitious patron of the 19th-century religious revival movement, made the estate a centre for her followers and invited artists, painters, musicians and writers. The park she laid out on the cliff included labyrinths, small pleasure pavilions, ruins and a waterfall, contrasting with terraces, rose beds and exotic trees.
The property is best reached by walking up from the coastal road to the villa, with the steep slope requiring some effort. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and contact the guesthouse operators if they wish to access the outbuildings or grounds.
Princess Eugenie used the villa not only as a private residence but also founded two orphanages nearby. Fridtorp for boys opened in 1866, with a separate facility for girls established afterward.
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