Fakkelgaarden‘s history The Fakkelgaarden initially started as "Grænsehjemmet" – a so-called border home – thought as a combination of youth hostel and cultural community center for young people from North Schleswig and Denmark. With focus on a possible reunification of South Jutland and the rest of the Danish heartland a couple of years earlier, it was one aim to broaden the knowledge of borderland visitors and to further understanding for the special culture in this region. Hence - the tower had been designed as a reading room for visitors to delve into books telling about the interesting history of this area while having a view of the former Danish towns Flensburg and Glücksburg on the opposite side of the fjord. On October 18th 1936, the official inauguration took place in the presence of local dignitaries and the royal couple King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine. This event had been initiated by Martin Hammerich, who was highly engaged in collecting the financial means from both private persons and local business enterprises.     A meeting place for Danes and Germans During World War II German occupying forces used the “Grænsehjemmet” as a rest home for injured German soldiers. As in many other places in Denmark, there have also been Danish saboteurs in Kollund – attempting acts of sabotage on the railway system and other facilities in order to aggravate German activities. Towards the end of the war, three of these young saboteurs were close to be uncovered – which forced them to go underground. The local history claims to know that – secretly - the then manager of the “Grænsehjemmet” provided a hiding place for the resistance members in the tower. As a matter of fact, till the days of liberation the occupation troops still enjoyed the relaxing environment – not knowing they were living with the saboteurs beneath one roof.
From youth hostel to high-class restaurant After Martin Hammerich had died his property was passed on to "Det unge Grænseværn" – an association of young people, clubs, private persons and trade unions in the border region – which had already established a number of cultural community centers along the Danish-German border. In order to commemorate the abundant merits of M. Hammerich, a memorial bust had been erected near the building. "Det unge Grænseværn" has been in charge of the Grænsehjemmet until 1978 when the premises were sold to the lessor J. Johansen. The building then was exclusively used as a youth hostel till 1990, when it was again put up for sale.   It was at this point in time, when the Fleggaard family realised the various opportunities connected with this building. The family already owned a nearby summer residence and there was need for an exclusive restaurant to host guests and business friends of the rapidly growing Fleggaard group. This was the foundation of a complete new era of the old – now fully restored premises – and in July 1992 the doors of the Hotel and Restaurant Fakkelgaarden opened for the first time.   At the onset of reconstruction works there was quite a bit of scepticism among local people: “This will be an awful expensive place” – “Ordinary people will not be able to dine out at this place”. Hence – it was decided to invite all neighbours to the opening ceremony. And to make use of this occasion – a pipeline was installed from the Flensburg brewery leading over the fjord to let beer run out of Fakkelgaarden’s fountain.