- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Messages
- 381
- Reaction score
- 858
- Points
- 93
- Location
- Kamp-Lintfort/Germany
- Website
- www.tomvandutch.de
The Berghof Clinic, which was destroyed in a fire, was originally built as a climatic spa hotel and traded as the "Luftkurhotel Bärenstein" from 1898. The name "Bärenstein" was used in memory of a castle that is said to have been located below on the slope. According to the Bühlertal local history book, debris was discovered here that was associated with Bärenstein Castle.
The first tenant, Christian Wenk, ran the hotel until 1914, when it was renamed “Friedrich-Hilda-Heim” after the Grand Duke Friedrich and his wife Hilda. The so-called merchant convalescent home was intended to serve as a place for the working population to spend relaxing holidays and gather strength.
During the Second World War, the building was destroyed in a bomb attack in March 1945. After the reconstruction, the state insurance company operated the building from 1953-1954 as a health resort and briefly traded under the name "Strassburger Hof". In 1976, the facility was converted into a long-term facility for women addicted to drugs. In 1989 the Dechow Foundation took over the business. Requirements of the health insurance companies and urgently needed modernization measures led to the decline of the clinic. The foundation was unable to raise the millions of euros it needed, and over the years the patients stayed away. A last attempt to save the clinic by a rescue company failed in 1997.
Since then the building has been empty. Until recently, the company operated under the name "Berghofklinik Bühl". Plans to use the ensemble as a hotel failed.
In a major fire in June 2013, the roof structure of the former clinic was completely destroyed. During the night, a police patrol who was recording an accident nearby discovered the fire. 120 firefighters fought the flames for several hours. The emergency services discovered two sources of fire on the ground floor and in the attic, which suggested arson.
The first tenant, Christian Wenk, ran the hotel until 1914, when it was renamed “Friedrich-Hilda-Heim” after the Grand Duke Friedrich and his wife Hilda. The so-called merchant convalescent home was intended to serve as a place for the working population to spend relaxing holidays and gather strength.
During the Second World War, the building was destroyed in a bomb attack in March 1945. After the reconstruction, the state insurance company operated the building from 1953-1954 as a health resort and briefly traded under the name "Strassburger Hof". In 1976, the facility was converted into a long-term facility for women addicted to drugs. In 1989 the Dechow Foundation took over the business. Requirements of the health insurance companies and urgently needed modernization measures led to the decline of the clinic. The foundation was unable to raise the millions of euros it needed, and over the years the patients stayed away. A last attempt to save the clinic by a rescue company failed in 1997.
Since then the building has been empty. Until recently, the company operated under the name "Berghofklinik Bühl". Plans to use the ensemble as a hotel failed.
In a major fire in June 2013, the roof structure of the former clinic was completely destroyed. During the night, a police patrol who was recording an accident nearby discovered the fire. 120 firefighters fought the flames for several hours. The emergency services discovered two sources of fire on the ground floor and in the attic, which suggested arson.
