Isted Lion, Bronze monument in Flensburg, Germany
The Isted Lion is a bronze sculpture depicting a forward-facing lion mounted on a stone base in Flensburg. The statue weighs approximately two tons and features inscriptions and portraits of military leaders on its pedestal.
Created in 1862 by sculptor Herman Wilhelm Bissen, the monument commemorates the Danish victory in the Battle of Isted. It represents the military tensions of the 19th century between Denmark and Germany over control of the Schleswig region.
The monument reflects the close ties between Denmark and Germany in this border region. It serves as a reminder of shared struggles and how neighboring nations view their history together today.
The lion stands on the Old Cemetery in Flensburg, north of the large burial mound raised for the fallen of Isted. The bronze figure is 3.40 m tall on a 3.80 m granite pedestal, with a plaque on the front and two oval recesses on the side. The site is open and level, and the monument can be viewed from all sides.
After returning in 2011, the monument shifted from being purely a war memorial to a symbol of German-Danish reconciliation. Its journey through Copenhagen and Berlin tells a story of nations reexamining their past.
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