Otterup Museum

A tiny house with a huge history

"Frelserens Hospital" (The Savior's Hospital) was officially opened on October 11, 1722. It was built between 1720 and 1722 by the famous Christian Sehestedt, the squire of Nislevgård estate, to house eight poor folks from the nearby parishes.

The lucky ones who got to live there were poor, single, and elderly people who needed a roof over their heads. It was no coincidence that the hospital was built right next to Otterup Church. Christian Sehestedt actually owned the church himself, and since the area was pretty isolated back then, he figured it was a great idea to have the residents take care of the place. They spent a lot of their daily lives in the church and were a big part of the community. However, there was a strict set of rules to follow – and heaven help you if you broke them!

2026 marks 100 years since the very last resident left the hospital, a major milestone for the old building. A century ago, Abelone Marie Ibsen moved out as the final resident. This paved the way for the building to be turned into Otterup's local library in 1928–29.

Abelone was the last person to walk out of the hospital – one of the few who actually left the place alive. Elisabeth Larsen and Ane Cathrine Marie Petersen were also among the last residents. Now, Otterup Museum is shining a light on these three amazing women and how they all ended up at the hospital.

Come and hear the vivid stories about "The Last Ones" who lived there: Who were they, where did they come from, why did they end up at the hospital in Otterup, and what was their everyday life actually like?

The harsh Viking Age in Otterup

Listen, look, and feel how the Viking Age appeared in Otterup around the year 1000. Get the dramatic story of the Otterup Viking, who after a thousand years was reunited with his half-brother (or similar relative).

You can step into a unique Viking home where the Otterup Viking once lived. Hear about the fierce battles that shaped the era.

Other exhibitions on life in Otterup:

• See, smell, and touch the shoemaker’s workshop.
• The 19th-century kitchen.
• Experience “School in the old days.”

Activities for children and adults

The museum offers many engaging displays and stories from everyday life, giving families plenty to talk about:

• An old classroom where children can try assignments from “the old days”
• Various Viking activities, such as writing runes, dressing a Viking, building a Viking ship, etc.
• Quiz activities for groups or individuals

Opening hours

You’ll find the current opening hours here on the page.

Price:

Adults: 25 DKK — Children under 12: free.

The museum opens for the season on Ascension Day with free admission for everyone.
The final opening day is the Saturday in week 41 (October), also with free admission.

You can always contact Otterup Museum outside opening hours via the museum’s chairperson Bernt Nicolaysen at +45 3036 6967 / berntnicolaysen@live.dk