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Open house: A unique chance to see the mummy of Peder Winstrup

Open house: A unique chance to see the mummy of Peder Winstrup
Open house: A unique chance to see the mummy of Peder Winstrup

On Wednesday 9 December all those who are interested can visit the Historical Museum and meet the founder of Lund University, Bishop Peder Winstrup (1605-1679).

Peder Winstrup’s mummy and several fascinating artefacts from the coffin will be exhibited at the museum 10:00-20:00. Admission is free.

“This is a unique opportunity that is not to be missed. Winstrup was a true Renaissance man with many strings to his bow, and he has had an enormous significance for the city of Lund’s development. This commands respect. Now, 335 years later, his well-preserved mummy awakens a sense of wonder. His body has been shown to be one of Europe’s best-preserved mummies. Our examinations of the skeleton and organs have given us a unique insight into the living conditions and health of people in the 1600s. The project has attracted a lot of attention and we now want to give the public a chance to find out more about our examinations and bid a final farewell,” says Museum Director, Per Karsten.

This is the last opportunity to see him before he is returned to Lund Cathedral and reinterred on Friday 11 December. More information about this will be announced by the Church of Sweden.

Where: Lund University Historical Museum, Krafts torg 1, Lund

When: Wednesday 9 December

Time: 10.00-20.00

Free admission: The mummy will be exhibited on the ground floor. There will also be a number of interesting artefacts from the coffin on display. There will be lectures at 17:00 and 19:00 in the Kyrksalen lecture room on floor 3.

Contact: Per Karsten, Director of the Historical Museum per [dot] karsten [at] luhm [dot] lu [dot] se, +46 (0)761-646447

Watch video below and learn more about Peder Winstrup's mummy

Background:

Peder Winstrup 1605-1679. Born in Copenhagen. Studied in Germany before he became a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Copenhagen. Shortly afterwards he was appointed court chaplain and became a Doctor of Theology. In 1638, at the age of 33, he was made Bishop of Lund. In 1658, he was ennobled after Skåne became Swedish. It was Peder Winstrup’s initiative to found Lund University.

In 2013, a preliminary examination was made of Peder Winstrup’s body in Lund Cathedral’s crypt and it was shown that the body was in very good condition. The mummy is one of the best-preserved bodies from 17th century Europe.

In the autumn of 2014 he was moved from the cathedral for further examinations. The body underwent a CT scan and there have been analyses of the body and clothes, as well as the other contents of the coffin. He will be reinterred in the cathedral on 11 December.

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