Stockholm, Sweden/stock090-gripenhielsmka.jpg
Previous | Home | NextThe precursor of Serafimerlasarettet was the Gripenhielmska huset (Gripenhielms house), existing since 1648. The name "Gripenhielms" came from the Swedish nobility name conferred upon the owner. In 1692 a laboratory (Laboratorium chymicum) was created at the Gripenhielms house. In 1694 the estate was purchased by Urban Hjärne (1641-1724), the famous doctor and scientist. This was the precursor of the important Laboratorium chymicum later established at the present Mynttorget, where cobalt and nickel were discovered (see below). The laboratory at Gripenhielms house slowly fell into disrepair, and by the time of Hjärne's death (1724) had essentially been nonproductive, if not nonexistent, since 1707. In 1749 the king ordered Gripenhielsmka huset to be transformed to a hospital, from which time many modifications and additions have been made. See next view for key.
