In 1898, it was decided to build an "insane asylum" at Dikemark farm to replace Christiania Sindsygeasyl, which was Oslo's oldest asylum for people with serious mental disorders. Dikemark Hospital was opened in 1905 and later expanded several times. In 2012, 36 of the historic buildings with outdoor areas were protected. Today, this appears as a wonderful park where you can take a walk under large tree crowns, while at the same time getting an impression of what it must have been like for the patients in a time when peace and quiet, fresh air and access to beautiful nature were the most important part of the treatment.
Right up until the beginning of the 1990s, the patients farmed as part of the treatment at Dikemark. The hospital had at most 800 patients. It was a separate agency until 1 January 1996 when it was placed under Ullevål Hospital. During the last 40-50 years, there has been a gradual downsizing of hospital operations.
The most important medical offer today is the Regional Security Section Dikemark. However, a new security department is being built at the Ila security facility which will take over these patients when it opens in 2025.
The oldest buildings were made in Art Nouveau style. The buildings that were built after this have been partly inspired by Art Nouveau and partly by Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance, so that the entire building mass has been given a uniform feel.
The facility is built according to a colonial principle inspired by similar facilities in other European countries with independent buildings surrounding the central administration. Each unit had both a men's section and a women's section.
Although several of the buildings are empty, there is also activity in several of them. Among other things, a large artistic community has been established, and Asker municipality wants to use several of them for cultural purposes.
Many of the buildings are still beautiful, but characterized by poor maintenance and decay. It has been decided that most of the buildings will be sold and used for other purposes such as housing. It will be expensive to restore the buildings, not least because conservation requires that the buildings' exteriors will have to be restored to the way they once were when they were new - at the same time that they must satisfy today's requirements on the inside.
Dikemark hospital is located near two lakes - Verkensvannet and Nordvannet. Both in the park and by the lakes it is nice to go for a walk.
More excursions: www.turideer.com
This week's excursion: The area at Dikemark hospital in Asker - historic buildings. Take the opportunity to see these beautiful buildings in their surroundings before new business takes too much of a toll on the area. You can also visit the Dikemark psychiatric hospital museum, which is now located in the Bjørkeli building at Dikemark, Sykehusveien 4. There are no fixed opening hours, but you can call 67 90 87 50 to make an appointment.
Suitable for: Everyone. Wheelchairs and prams are fine.
Getting there: Search for Dikemark hospital on Google Maps. Park at one of the car parks in the area. You can then walk around the area.
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