Medevi brunn

About the museum

Medevi brunn was founded on 25 July 1678, when the physician Urban Hjärne analysed the water from a spring on the Medevi estate and established that it was a genuine surbrunn (carbonated mineral spring). The owner, Gustaf Soop, had long wanted to create a spa resort after foreign models, and so Medevi became Sweden’s first health spa and the oldest in the Nordic countries still in use. As early as 1679 Soop founded a spa lazarett for those in greatest need of help.

Until the early 1980s Medevi operated as a spa resort with physicians, nurses, bath attendants and customs such as spring-water drinking, morning prayers, the spa orchestra in the park and the famous Grötlunken. When the county council withdrew, the non-profit Intresseföreningen Medevi Brunn (Medevi Brunn Interest Association) was formed to preserve the culture. Today there are around 70 historic buildings in a spa park along national road 50 between Motala and Askersund, and the area is also used for a hotel, restaurant, conferences and weddings.

During the spa season around midsummer, the Interest Association shows, among other things, the pharmacy building with a pharmacy interior from the 18th century, exhibitions on the history of the spa and the spa orchestra, and the Lazarettsmuséet. The Piperska byggningen, moved here from Lövsta Castle, is shown with furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries on guided tours.

Highlights

• The pharmacy building with its 18th-century pharmacy interior
• The Lazarettsmuséet on the 300-year history of the spa infirmary
• The Piperska byggningen with furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries (on guided tours)
• The Högbrunnen, where visitors can drink spa water
• Exhibitions on the spa orchestra and the history of Medevi brunn
• Around 70 historic buildings in the spa park

Permanent exhibitions

• Apoteksbyggnaden – A pharmacy with interiors from the 18th century, moved here from Vadstena, plus exhibitions on the spa orchestra, the spa rights (brunnsrätten) and the history of Medevi brunn.
• Lazarettsmuséet – Objects from the 300-year history of the spa infirmary; between 1679 and 1982 around 140,000 patients were cared for here.
• Piperska byggningen – A building moved from Lövsta Castle, which now shows furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries; shown on guided tours only.

Founded

1678

Operated by

Intresseföreningen Medevi Brunn (museerna); Medevi Brunn AB (området)

Admission & discounts

The admission fee to the museums is not stated on the website.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The spa lies along national road 50 in northern Östergötland, between Motala and Askersund.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Wärdshuset (restaurant, lunch and Christmas buffet; closed September–October 2026 for renovation), café, ice cream shop in the pharmacy building during the season, and factory sales of skincare (Medevi ProSalus). There is a hotel on the site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 150 guests.

Premises for weddings, parties and conferences for groups from small numbers up to 150 people; enquiries to Medevi Brunn.

Plan your visit