{"id":32008,"date":"2025-05-14T10:55:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T08:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.arkenhotel.com\/about-us\/var-historia\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:05:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T13:05:28","slug":"our-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.arkenhotel.com\/en\/about-us\/our-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Our history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Uppfart<\/span>
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the history of Arken<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A place of traditions, near the sea and harmony<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It is no coincidence that Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa is located where it is. It is safe to say that the site has been inhabited as early as the 13th century. That’s when the foundations of Arendal Farm, which is adjacent to Arken, were laid. But there are archaeological remains that suggest settlements from further back than that. In the 1950s, the Gothenburg Archaeological Museum conducted a survey of the area and found no fewer than eleven permanent ancient remains. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"tr\u00e4dg\u00e5rden<\/span>
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Recreation since time immemorial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is easy to understand why the area around Arken has always been an attractive place. The harbor entrance was and is of course a strategically important landmark. But spending time in Arken’s coastal area is also pleasant and soothing for the soul. The proximity to sea, wind and sun contributes to this. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Prisoners and socialites in Arendal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first survey of the Arendal area is dated 1726 and in the early 19th century an inn was opened on the farm itself.<\/strong> In those days, prisoners were also kept in the cellar, waiting to be transported to or from \u00c4lvsborg Fortress. When the fortress ceased to exist in 1869, the time was also up for the inn and a new era awaited Arendal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Gothenburg society discovered Arendal. <\/strong>Several stately summer residences were built and Gothenburg resident Adolf Andersson established a hot bathhouse<\/strong>. His advertisements stated, for example, that hot saltwater baths with showers were offered from 9 am every day. For 1st class with shower and bath linen, you had to pay 75 \u00f6re, while 2nd class cost 50 \u00f6re. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Golf has deep roots in the area. In 1902, Viktor Hugos Setterberg built Sweden’s first golf course in Arendal. <\/strong>Around the same time, he founded the Gothenburg Golf Club and started the Swedish Golf Association. In addition to golf, tennis and croquet were also played as long as the season allowed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"badminton<\/span>
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It started as a facility for staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the 1970s, the idea of a staff facility for G\u00f6taverket’s employees was raised<\/strong>, but the many ancient remains in the area caused great opposition to the development of the area. After lengthy negotiations in the building committee, the building permit was finally approved by a narrow majority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arken, as the facility was named, was inaugurated in May 1975.<\/strong> Its main purpose was to provide space for G\u00f6taverkens study activities as well as for meetings and gatherings of employees’ associations. Above all, it was to provide opportunities for exercise, sport and relaxation for all employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports and exercise occupied a larger area of Arken during this period. With everything from volleyball, basketball and badminton to billiards, judo and bowling. Swimming, gymnastics, and dancing were other popular activities. The practitioners could be counted in 1000s. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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historical images<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Arken\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Arken with marina below, sometime in the 70s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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An oasis in the middle of the harbor – then and now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The water lily pond in the 70s, which still exists. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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G\u00f6taverket staff on the sun deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Swimming pool – many people have learned to swim at Arken. Instead of a swimming pool, it is now home to Restaurant Flora. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sports and exercise were an important part of Arken in the 1970s. Our event hall Oceanen was then a sports hall. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Table tennis was also a popular activity.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bowling was one of the biggest corp sports at G\u00f6taverken.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"judo\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Judo was another sport that was practiced. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"gym\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
There was also a gym.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Saunas were popular, then as now. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n
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