A beer bottle dating back to 1985 has been discovered during renovation work in the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) building in Copenhagen. The find was made in a rarely accessed room hidden behind one of Christiansborg’s large double elevators.
Secret room behind an elevator
During ongoing maintenance of the historic Christiansborg complex, workers gained access to a small concealed room that had remained untouched for decades. Inside, they found a Pokal Pilsner beer bottle alongside the name “Erik Pedersen” and the date 15 November 1985 written in chalk on the wall.
According to the Folketinget’s official statement, the secluded space can only be reached through the elevator shaft and has a view over the Inner Castle Courtyard (Indre Slotsgård) but leads nowhere.
Parliament seeks the beer’s original owner
The Folketinget has launched an appeal on social media to locate the individual named on the wall, in hopes of returning the bottle. The Parliament’s post suggests that Erik Pedersen might have been the last person to visit the room before it was sealed off.
The discovery adds a curious detail to the layered history of Christiansborg, which houses the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s office.
Access to be closed again after works
Once renovation work is complete, access to the hidden room will be permanently closed. The Parliament has not indicated whether the bottle will be preserved as part of the building’s historical record or returned to its owner.
