OBSESSED
Explore one of the darkest and most cruel chapters in Danish history in the exhibition BESAT.
We rewind time to the 17th century. More precisely, 1612-1615. At that time, 16 women in Køge were accused of witchcraft in what we know today as Denmark's largest witch trial.
Only one escaped with his life.
In the exhibition Possessed, you can look forward to exploring one of the darkest chapters in Danish history as you follow in the footsteps of local Køge woman, Anna Bartkærs, and experience some of the witch-tortures that she and her family were subjected to - right here in Køge.
The exhibition tells the story of a time of witch trials and persecutions, depicted through Bartskær's unique written accounts and authentic witness statements from the trials, and is illustrated by Jim Lyngvild, who, with the help of artificial intelligence, has recreated the events and brought the accused witches to life.
It is quite unique that there is a written account of the witchcraft afflictions that a local Køge family had to endure.
Former Cultural Heritage Manager, Kristoffer Buck Pedersen
The witch trials are well documented, thanks to the period's clerk's accounts and council minutes, which show, among other things, the city's expenses for burning the witches as well as the testimonies that led the women to the stake.
The exhibition features a number of objects from the period, including a baptismal font that one of the accused urinated in, a bed like the one many witches writhed in pain in, a pot used to conjure up the devil, and a chamber pot with witchcraft clothing for protection against witches.