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Rent your own island for unforgettable gatherings. At Hemgrund, turn-of-the-century charm meets modern luxury in a carefully restored setting.
Welcome to a place where the stately shipowner’s villa from 1893 and the iconic Quisisana bathhouse set the stage for your stay. After extensive restoration, the island today offers an exclusive combination of historic soul and the highest comfort. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a corporate event or a peaceful retreat, Hemgrund offers a private world of its own – just a short distance from Kristinestad’s town square.
It’s hard to imagine today, but Hemgrund hasn’t always been on the map. Where the villa now stands proudly, there was once only open water and a hidden sandbank.
During the 1800s, the port of Kristinestad was one of the most significant in Finland. It was a time of bustling activity, when the scent of tar and freshly cut timber constantly hung in the air. Ships from every corner of the world called in to load Ostrobothnia’s riches.
But in order to take on the heavy cargoes of timber and flax, the ships first had to get rid of their ballast. Tons of sand, soil and stone from distant shores were dumped right at the sandbank southwest of the harbor. Year after year, ship after ship, the mound grew beneath the surface until one day it broke through the waterline. A new piece of land had been born from ballast gathered from around the world.
The name of the new island has shifted through the decades. It was originally called Hindgrundet, a name rooted in the German hinter (beyond). It was a fitting description; the island lay “beyond the town,” an outpost where the sheltered archipelago meets the open sea.
The first person to recognize the island’s potential was the merchant Bengt Fredrik Wennerstrand. In the summer of 1867 he leased the island for fifty years and had the first small villa built, named Favoriten. His dream, however, was short-lived. Just a year later, Wennerstrand passed away at only 29 years old. His widow, Hilda, then sold the island to a man whose vision would shape Hemgrund forever: the young shipowner Gustaf Hydén.
Gustaf Hydén was only 24 when he took over Hemgrund, but his ambitions knew no bounds. He continued to reinforce the island with ballast stone from his own ships returning from the Mediterranean. It’s said that unusual plants can still be found on the island today – descendants of seeds that once traveled with the soil from more southern latitudes and took root in the Ostrobothnian earth.
After marrying the merchant’s daughter Olga Sundström, Gustaf decided to build a summer residence worthy of their standing. In 1893 the villa was completed, designed and built by master builder Josef Spelmans.
The villa’s three floors each tell their own story:
To travel between the town and their paradise, the family used their own steamboat, Avanti. The boat’s captain was such an integral part of life on the island that he had his own dedicated room in the villa.
The inspiration for the island’s most unique building came from a trip to Tenerife. The Hydén couple had visited the storied Quisisana hotel in Santa Cruz and been enchanted by its bathhouse. The name, which in Italian means “here one gets well” or “here one feels well,” became the guiding star for their own project.
Together with sea captain Wilhelm Hagen, they had a tower-like bathhouse built, completed in 1911. Creating a stable foundation required 600 horse-cart loads of stone. The result was an architectural gem that has weathered storms for over a century. Even today, Quisisana serves as a place to unwind, with a sauna and guest rooms whose windows, facing every direction, offer an ever-changing panorama of nature.
After the Hydén family’s era, Hemgrund has been cared for by several owners. In 1956 the island was taken over by a family from Björneborg (Pori), and in 1989 Sydbottens andelsbank took over responsibility. Through extensive yet careful restoration, the historic atmosphere has been preserved while modern comforts have been integrated.
The richness of detail is striking:
Standing today on the island’s northeastern corner, looking up at the villa, it’s easy to drift back in time. You can almost hear the distant sound of Avanti’s steam whistle, children’s laughter from the dock, and the clink of glasses from summer parties long past.
Hemgrund is more than just an island – it’s a time capsule, created from ballast and dreams, that continues to enchant everyone who steps ashore.
Hemgrund’s history also extends beneath the surface of the water. Over the years, objects that once rested on the seabed have been recovered and brought back to the island, where today they serve as proud reminders of the dramatic events and lively trade that shaped the waters off Kristinestad.
Out on the rocks, gazing toward the horizon, stands a restored wartime cannon. It bears witness to a time when the archipelago wasn’t just a place of summer idylls but also a strategic point of defense. After careful restoration work, the cannon has regained its former weight and once again keeps watch over the entrance to the town.
Not far from there rests a massive anchor from a merchant ship, covered in the patina of time. It was recovered from the clay off the island and is a direct link to the great sailing ships that once emptied their ballast here to create the very foundation of Hemgrund. The anchor stands today as a symbol of the sailors and merchants whose diligence and spirit of adventure laid the foundation for Kristinestad’s prosperity.
These objects aren’t merely decorations; they are fragments of reality that tie Hemgrund to Kristinestad’s history.
In 2019, a new chapter began when Peter Hansson took the helm. With roots in Kristinestad and a deep affection for the town, he has carried out an extensive and loving restoration.
Every choice of material has been made with the utmost respect for the past. The buildings have been carefully restored using premium materials, a new storage building has been erected faithfully in the old style, and new docks now welcome boating guests. The old outdoor toilet on the west side has been transformed into a charming little bar, though the walls still bear traces of a bygone era. Today Hemgrund stands prouder than ever – a perfect balance between the splendor of the 1800s and modern refinement.
After years of passionate restoration work, we’re now opening the doors to this hidden paradise. Starting summer 2027, it will for the first time be possible to rent Hemgrund for private stays, exclusive meetings and unique events.
Whether you want to celebrate a life milestone or are looking for an inspiring setting for your leadership team, Hemgrund offers an experience beyond the ordinary. We are now accepting expressions of interest for the 2027 season and beyond – welcome to secure your place on an island where history is ever-present and every sunset is a work of art.
