Mind Museum

About the museum

On the edge of Middelfart, the Sindssygeanstalt (lunatic asylum) opened in 1888, one of the large psychiatric institutions that were built in Denmark between the 19th century and the 1920s. For more than a hundred years, thousands of patients lived here, some only briefly, others for a large part of their lives. In 1999, the psychiatric department was closed; the area is now called Teglgårdsparken and, despite new uses, has kept the character of the former large institution.

The Middelfart Museum, which focuses on Danish psychiatric history, had one of the patient buildings converted over two years under the direction of C.F. Møller Architects. On May 30, 2026, the Mind Museum opened there with about 600 square meters of exhibition space. It holds the country's largest collection of objects on the history of psychiatry, with tools, furniture, and personal belongings from three former hospitals in the Region of Southern Denmark.

The first floor is devoted to the early days of the asylum – its ideals, operation, daily life, and treatments. The upper floor deals with current topics such as diagnoses, forms of therapy, coercion, and relatives; special exhibitions also take place there. The museum aims to break down taboos and prejudices and to start conversations, especially for people with their own experience of mental illness. This includes a sensory garden laid out according to a garden plan from 1899, a children's guide, a podcast, and an audio walk across the former clinic grounds.

Highlights

• Denmark's largest collection on the history of psychiatry
• Converted patient building of the 1888 asylum
• Sensory garden based on a garden plan from 1899 (freely accessible)
• Philosophical children's guide for families
• Audio walk "Mind Podwalk" across the clinic grounds

Permanent exhibitions

• Anstaltens første tid – The first floor shows ideals, operation, daily life, and treatments at the Middelfart asylum and in early Danish psychiatry.
• Vi taler om sindet – On the upper floor, history serves as a starting point for conversations about diagnoses, treatment, coercion, and the role of relatives.

Founded

2026

Operated by

Middelfart Museum

Director

Maiken Rude Nørup

Admission & discounts

Day tickets online or on site; the ticket is valid only on the chosen date. The sensory garden is accessible free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair-accessible entrance with elevator. Accessible parking spaces directly at the museum building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

With the children's guide, developed together with "Filosofi i Skolen" of the University of Southern Denmark, children lead their adults through the exhibition and solve philosophical tasks with no right or wrong answers. Children are welcome in the café; next to the garden there is a lawn for playing.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Mind (Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, last order 16:30) with coffee, cake, breakfast, and light lunch dishes, some based on historic recipes; 40 seats inside, outside as well in good weather. No table reservations. Coat check in the basement (no liability) and lockable lockers.

Events & venue rental

The café cannot be booked for private events.

Plan your visit