Historia
Dals Rostock is an ancient spa town with an unusually interesting history. Three large-scale operations within the community have been involved with health and care: Rostock health spa, Kropperfjälls Sanitorium and the extensive cultivation of medicinal herbs for pharmacies.
The name Dals Rostock
The place was originally known as Rååstock, which probably referred to a simple span over a stream between two farms (Rå as in border and Stock as in board). Dals Rostock had its own Post Office connected to the railway station on 1 November 1908. It was the Post Office that added Dals to the name because there was no postal code, and the Post Office had problems with similar place names such as Rostock in Germany. There is also a funny story about a package that arrived in the German city of Rostock instead of the one in Dalsland.
Brunnsparken
Rostock health spa
In Dals Rostock there has long been a health spa. The spa is one of Sweden’s oldest and was open for about 250 years, from the beginning of the 1700s until 1948. People came from near and far to drink the ferrous water and avail themselves of various treatments such as pine needle baths, carbonated baths and mud baths.
The area with the buildings is now called Brunnsparken and is owned by Kroppefjälls village association. In the well’s restaurant from the 1700s with kitchen, dining rooms and staff rooms there is a well-stocked village museum. On the upper floor of the museum there is a room laid out as a pharmacy would have looked at the beginning of the 1900s. There are many boxes, tins and bottles that are fun to investigate. It is also possible to drink the waters from the old well. The well doctor’s former surgery is now a café in summer, and his residence a vintage boutique.
Herb garden
In Dals Rostock there is an established history of cultivating medicinal herbs. In the herb garden adjacent to Rostock’s old health spa, you will find a fantastic selection of plants, around 300 different varieties, all with their individual history and use. Plants and stones are provided with easy to read signs explaining the cultural history and use, past and present. There are spices and herbs for food and drink, healing and medicinal plants, plants for dyeing, for producing fibre, also poisons and herbs for sorcery. In a pond are plants that thrive in a moist environment and many exciting aquatic creatures to study.
Geological Section
Dals Rostock is beautifully situated on the slope of Kroppefjäll, which from a geological perspective is a unique and highly interesting area. Next to the herb garden and the pond, there is a geological section where rocks and minerals from the surrounding area are presented in a simple and educational way.
Particular emphasis is placed on shale, as extensive shale quarrying has taken place in the areas around Rostock. Many old slate roofs can still be seen on the houses in the community.
Kroppefjällparken – The old Sanitorium
In 1911 the Kroppefjälls Sanatorium was opened – a home for rest and recuperation for people suffering from the lung disease, TB. The place was carefully chosen. Partly because of its elevated position and quality of air, partly for its accessibility and efficient public transport system.
In 1960 the sanitorium was closed when researchers were successful in producing medication effective against tuberculosis.
Doctor Saedén’s Trail
Sanatorium physician Carl Saedén, who worked at Kroppefjäll Sanatorium from 1916 to 1945, created what is now known as Doctor Saedén’s Loop. It consists of walking paths through the forest with various artworks, monuments, and installations along the way, intended to strengthen patients in their fight against illness. This trail still exists today, and each artwork has its own history and symbolism.
The nature along the route is very distinctive, with fascinating rock formations, ravines, and steep cliffs. You also pass a couple of beautiful viewpoints where you can see all the way to Kinnekulle on the other side of Lake Vänern. Doctor Saedén’s Trail is 2.7 km long.
Here you can read more about all the monuments along the trail
Corporate society
Hjalmarsfors Wagon Factory
In the 1900s there were many different businesses in Dals Rostock, and the company that perhaps had the greatest impact on Dals Rostock as a community, was Hjalmarsfors Vagnsfabrik vehicle factory.