The original statue was carved by a shipyard worker named Kolbe around 1785.
Rosenbom is depicted holding a sign with a prayer for the poor in Swedish.
The statue inspired the famous Swedish song 'Rosenbom' by Thore Skogman.
The hat-lifting mechanism remains a functional charity collection point for the church.
Mats Hindersson was a real person who served as a naval shipyard worker before falling into poverty.
Rosenbom is a life-sized wooden statue of a kneeling man located outside the Admiral Church (Amiralitetskyrkan) in Karlskrona, Sweden. The statue depicts Mats Hindersson, also known as Rosenbom, a legendary historical figure said to have been a poor pensioner who died in the cold during the 18th century. The figure functions as a collection box for the poor, featuring a hinged hat that visitors lift to deposit coins. It has become a central cultural symbol of the city and is referenced in Selma Lagerlöf's 'The Wonderful Adventures of Nils'. The original 18th-century wooden statue was moved inside the church for preservation in the 1950s and replaced by a weather-resistant replica outside. The site is a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage status designated to the Naval Port of Karlskrona.
From the front at a low angle to capture the wooden texture and the detail of the hat.
Lift the hat gently to reveal the donation slot, as this is the traditional interaction with the statue.
Visit the interior of the Admiral Church nearby to see the original, well-preserved wooden carving.
Read the inscription on the plaque near the statue for the historical backstory.
Do not attempt to climb on or move the statue, as it is a protected cultural monument.
