In the world of the macabre and unusual, few exhibits have captured the public’s imagination and horror as much as the preserved head of Peter Kürten, the infamous “Vampire of Düsseldorf.” This ghastly artifact, part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’s collection, isn’t just a macabre relic; it’s a grim reminder of one of the darkest chapters in 20th-century criminal history. Displayed in a museum that celebrates the strange and the unbelievable, Kürten’s head continues to inspire fascination and revulsion in equal measure, decades after his death.
Peter Kürten, born in Germany in 1883, was a serial killer whose brutality terrorized the city of Düsseldorf in the 1920s. Known for his sadism and apparent pleasure in drinking his victims’ blood, Kürten confessed to at least nine murders, although the actual number is believed to be much higher. His crimes, which included attacks on women, children, and men with hammers, scissors, and knives, made him a nightmarish figure in the collective imagination. After an intensive manhunt, he was arrested in 1930 and guillotined in 1931, ending his reign of terror.
But Kürten’s story didn’t end with his death. In a twist as disturbing as his life, his head was preserved after his execution. Fascinated by the criminal mind, scientists of the time performed an autopsy, removing his head for examination in the hope of finding a physical abnormality that would explain his monstrous behavior. The brain was dissected, and the head, after being treated with chemicals, remained as a macabre trophy. Over time, this object passed into private hands and eventually ended up in the collection of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a museum chain known for exhibiting rarities from around the world.
At the museum, Kürten’s head is displayed in a glass case. His pale, waxy skin is still intact, his eyes are closed, and his expression seems to fluctuate between calm and unease. Accompanied by panels documenting his life and crimes, the exhibition is full of chilling details—from his chilling confessions to the black-and-white photographs from the time. For many visitors, it is a moment of morbid wonder; for others, it is an uncomfortable reminder of the human capacity for evil.
The inclusion of Kürten’s head at Ripley’s has sparked controversy. Some view it as a legitimate piece of history, an artifact offering a glimpse into the past and the early attempts at forensic criminology. Others, however, consider it a sensationalist exploitation, a spectacle that trivializes the suffering of Kürten’s victims. “It’s hard to watch without getting goosebumps,” one visitor commented in an online review. “But it also makes you wonder what drives someone to become a monster.”
Despite the criticism, the head remains one of Ripley’s most popular attractions, drawing curious onlookers and lovers of the macabre from around the world. Its presence in the museum is a testament to Kürten’s lasting legacy, not as a hero or legend, but as a warning. More than 90 years after his execution, the “Vampire of Düsseldorf” still stares down at the living from its glass case, a chilling moment that has immortalized Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for future generations.
