Old Man Rosenbom at the Admiralty Church

Blekinge · Sverige · Church

"If you want thanks from Rosenbom, lift his hat yourself." On New Year's night 1717 the beggar froze to death outside the church door – and stands there still.

In front of the Admiralty Church in Karlskrona stands a wooden man with his hat in his hand and a coin slot in his head. Legend has it that Rosenbom was among the first settlers on Trossö, a shipyard worker until malaria took him and he was left living on alms. On New Year's night 1717 he made his begging round among the town's burghers and was given drink at every door. At Captain Lagerbielke's house he dropped his hat as he bowed, and the captain remarked that anyone wanting thanks from Rosenbom would have to lift the hat himself. The old man cheerfully repeated the line at the woodcarver Kolbe's door; Kolbe lost his temper, beat him and threw him out into the snow. Next morning Rosenbom lay frozen to death outside the church. Kolbe then carved the poor box in his likeness. Selma Lagerlöf gave him a second life in Nils Holgersson.

FAQ

Hvor ligger Old Man Rosenbom at the Admiralty Church?

Old Man Rosenbom at the Admiralty Church ligger i Blekinge, Sverige.