Almost halfway up Slotsallé, this very long and distinctive building stands slightly set back from the road. The house, which was built by the duke in 1765-1766, is not a typical ducal house. It has no wall dormer and the roof is not half-hipped, but it is strictly symmetrical with five doors and five chimneys. An impressive sight that stands out from the other houses.

Please notice the red casings around the white window frames as opposed to the otherwise predominantly green casings in the town. This house is also the only one without gutters – an original feature, which is protected by the listing of the building.

On the garden side, you can see the exposed façade made of yellow Flensburg bricks. The “local plan” of the duke allowed this on the rear of the houses.

The building has never been used as a “hospital” in the modern sense of the word. In the old days, a hospital could also be a refuge or an asylum or even a retirement home for retired employees of the court, as in this case. It is said that food was provided by the Palace, and that medical treatment, firewood, etc. was free of charge. When a citizen of the town received a deed for a house, a “tax” was imposed, which covered the cost of running the “hospital” as well as the school, but also for a fire extinguisher and a hearse. Perhaps a sign of the duke’s community spirit, but it was also good staff care – a model for the modern welfare state.

With its 15 bays, the building is one of the longest in the town, and with a ground floor area of 230 square meters, one would think that there was enough space for everyone, but since there were as many as 10 apartments, only 23 square meters were available for each apartment. It is said that at one time as many as nine people were living in one of the apartments. It probably was not exactly luxurious, but after all, there was at least a roof over your head.

Each of the five ledged doors led in to two apartments. Facing the street was the communal kitchen with one window and one fireplace. Facing the garden was a living room / room with one window. There was a toilet in the back yard and later one of the apartments was converted into a communal toilet.

In the garden behind the house, there is a barn dating from the end of the 19th century, and today used as a regional museum. Here you can see an exhibition of old agricultural tools and an entire shoemaker’s workshop.

The “Local History Archive for Augustenborg and Surrounding Area” is now located at the address. The Archive is open every Wednesday 09.00-12.00 and 16.00-18.00 from April to October.