The first book to be printed in Denmark
Denmark’s first book, which was printed in Odense in 1482 by the printer Johan Snell. It is now at Møntergården in Odense.
Intro
Denmark’s first book was printed in Odense. In 1482 the printer, Johan Snell, printed a small publication that tells the formidable story of the Turks’ attack on Rhodes in 1481. The book became an absolute best-seller!
In the world of books
Denmark’s first book was printed in Odense in 1482. It then became possible to disseminate knowledge and information on a previously unseen scale and at an unprecedented rate. The printed book still plays an important role in our education system, but its use has developed from the rote learning of the grammar schools to the responsibility for learning placed on the individual. The Funen resident, Christian Kold, who was an activist in the free school movement, was instrumental in sparking this development.
A best-seller from 1482
The printer, Johan Snell, came to Odense in 1482 in order to print a noble prayer book. At the same time, he worked on a small publication with the title Descriotio obsidionis urbis Rhodie. The book is somewhere between a news report and a propaganda sheet and tells the formidable story of the Turks’ attack on Rhodes in 1481. The book was the first to be printed in Denmark and it became an absolute best-seller.
This location is part of the exhibition 'Funen – at the centre of the universe', at Møntergården in Odense. Read more about the exhibition on our website.