An entire 18th-century Swedish village is selling for $7 million. Here's a look inside the historic spa town.
by Melissa Wiley- A 320-year-old Swedish village with a natural spring, spa, and hotel is accepting bids in the range of $7 million through May 31.
- Known as Sätra Brunn, the 70-building village is situated on 60 acres an hour and a half northwest of Stockholm.
- Sätra Brunn was founded as a wellness establishment in 1700 by a doctor who believed in the medicinal benefits of mineral water.
- It has been a wellness destination ever since, hosting locals and foreigners for getaways, weddings, conferences, and festivals.
- "Of the 10 or so similar health villages built in Sweden during the 18th century, Sätra Brunn is the only one to survive with its historical buildings still standing," a representative for Christie's International Real Estate told Business Insider.
- Here's a look inside the historic property.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
A 320-year-old Swedish village is up for sale, accepting bids in the range of $7 million USD.
Sätra Brunn is represented by Jonas Martinsson of Residence Fastighetsmäkleri, an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate in Sweden. The guiding price is $6,951,893, with bids due by May 31.
"The village and all the real estate is registered as a limited company so there are no restrictions for foreign buyers," Martinsson said in statement.
Sixteen local entrepreneurs purchased Sätra Brunn in 2002 from Uppsala Academy, which had owned the village since the 1740s.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Known as Sätra Brunn, the village is situated on 60 acres of land an hour and a half northwest of Stockholm.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Sätra Brunn dates back to the 1700s and is built around a natural spring. Its founder, a doctor named Samuel Skragge, believed that mineral water had medicinal benefits.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Skragge purchased the land in 1700 and opened an establishment in 1701 that encouraged guests to drink spring water, participate in therapeutic plunge baths, and take walks in the woods.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Sätra Brunn has been a wellness destination ever since and consists of 70 buildings, including a hotel, church, and spa.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The oldest buildings on the property date back to the 1600s. Today, they are used as a café, flea market, and exhibition space.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Many structures, like this hotel originally built in 1792, have been repurposed as short and long-term lodging for guests.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Several lodging options are private residences that were bequeathed to the village and bear the names of their original owners. "The architecture of the village is a walk through time," Martinsson said.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate, Sätra Brunn
The village's official hotel, Hotel Skogsgården, has 53 rooms with access to a dining room and kitchen. At the opposite end of the property is a restaurant with three dining rooms and a pub.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Since 2015, Sätra Brunn has bottled water from its spring, one of only seven that have been awarded Sweden's highest purity distinction. The village also brews beer on site and produces its own champagne and snaps (a liquor, similar to schnapps, that is infused with a combination of spices, herbs, and fruits).
Source: Christie's International Real Estate, Punch Drink
The village bathhouse features a 50-foot pool, two fire-heated hot tubs ...
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
... six treatment rooms, and a steam sauna.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The church, finished in 1866, is a popular wedding venue.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The building is in its original condition, hosts weekly masses ...
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
... and has a pipe organ dating back 1867.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Over 6,000 people visit the village for midsummer concerts and annual Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The village is also a popular destination for conferences, hosting 3,600 attendees each year. This home, built in 1903, consists of different meeting rooms and can accommodate up to 120 people.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
A representative for Christie's International Real Estate called Sätra Brunn a "rare" listing. "Whole villages rarely if ever come onto the market, often companies or trusts will buy land to develop up functioning villages," he said.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Pontus Kopparberg, CEO of Residence Fastighetsmäkleri, told Business Insider that the Swedish housing market has only been somewhat affected by COVID-19. "Prices have fallen about 2% in 2019, and sales are only slightly below the corresponding period in 2019," he said.
Kopparberg attributes this in part to measures implemented by Swedish authorities. "The central bank actively buys mortgage bonds, and the requirement for borrowers to repay a certain amount has been removed. This combined with an actual interest rate after tax of about 1% supports the market," he said.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Compared to other countries in Europe and around the world, Sweden has taken a relaxed approach to curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Whereas residents of France and Spain faced fines if they left the house for the wrong reason in April, Swedes were free to sip cocktails at cafés and eat out at restaurants as long as they observed social distancing guidelines.
Source: Business Insider