Museum Obscurum

A Hidden Chamber Reveals Cornelius's Secrets

Museum Obscurum emerged from an unexpected discovery in autumn 2017. During renovations of the historic Falsters Minder building, museum staff uncovered a sealed room containing the cryptozoological collection of Cornelius S.C. Rödder—a mysterious assemblage kept hidden from public view for decades. Inside old boxes lay taxidermied creatures, records of supernatural beings, and artifacts that challenge the boundary between reality and imagination. The exhibition was named after the Latin word obscura, meaning darkness, the unknown, and the shadowy—a fitting tribute to Cornelius's fascination with the unexplained.

Creatures from Beyond the Ordinary

The collection features an array of taxidermied and preserved specimens that defy conventional classification. Visitors encounter a 15-year-old werewolf, ship spirits, fairies, and other beings that may or may not exist. Skeletons of mysterious creatures sit alongside detailed records and historical documentation, each piece inviting interpretation. The exhibition deliberately avoids definitive answers, instead presenting objects and narratives that encourage critical thinking. Displays integrate contemporary issues such as misinformation and the validation of information sources, making the museum as much about modern skepticism as historical curiosity.

The Historic Building's Enduring Legacy

The Czarens Hus, built in the 1690s, is one of Nykøbing Falster's oldest structures and carries significant historical weight. Originally designed by architect H.C. Glahn during its 1898 restoration, the half-timbered building housed Falsters Minder from its founding in 1913 until the exhibition's transformation in 2017. The building's name commemorates Tsar Peter the Great of Russia, who visited during the Great Nordic War. Its timber-frame construction and period details provide an atmospheric setting for the enigmatic collection within, creating a dialogue between architectural heritage and contemporary exhibition design.

Den Gamle Købmandshandel: Nostalgia on the Ground Floor

The ground floor operates as Den Gamle Købmandshandel (The Old Grocer's Shop), a functioning retail space selling nostalgic merchandise and freshly ground coffee. Visitors can purchase woven baskets, traditional Danish sweets, and other vintage-inspired goods, blending shopping with cultural experience. This commercial element grounds the museum in everyday life, offering a tangible connection to the past through objects and sensory experiences.

Award-Winning Innovation in Museum Practice

Museum Obscurum won the "Innovation Prize" at Historiske Dage (Historic Days) in 2018, recognizing its creative approach to exhibition design and visitor engagement. The exhibition successfully integrates historical artifacts with contemporary concerns about truth, belief, and information literacy. By presenting ambiguous objects without didactic certainty, the museum encourages visitors to develop their own interpretations and question their assumptions about what constitutes evidence and knowledge.