The Isted Lion is a war monument that stands in the Soren Kierkegaards Plads in Copenhagen. The statue was originally erected in Flensburg to commemorate the Danish victory over Schleswig-Holstein in 1850, after what was the last war fought in Scandinavian history. The statue was moved to Berlin by Prussian authorities, where it remained until 1945 when it was returned to Denmark by the United States Army. The monument is now considered to be a memorial for all Danes killed in battle and is an iconic figure in Copenhagen.
Often referred to as "Denmark's birth certificate", the Jelling Stones are a grouping of ancient carved stone monuments that stand in Jelling. Created in the 10th century, the stones were commissioned by the first king of Denmark, King Gorm the Old. The stones commemorate a variety of events and people, from the adoption of Christianity in Denmark to inscriptions that honor the family of the king. As one of the most important monuments in Denmark, a debate has recently begun as to whether the stones should stay at the site or be removed to the National Museum for protection from further erosion. Now a World Heritage Site, the Jelling Stones are one of the most important monuments in rural Denmark.
Known for being the best preserved moat castle in Europe, Egeskov Castle has stood for 450 years at the southern shore of Funen Island in Denmark. Due to the often turbulent history of Denmark most castles were built as fortifications, often on water. The foundation of Egeskov Castle was constructed on pilings made of oak wood. According to local legend, the name "Egeskov," which means "oak forest," is in reference to the fact that it took an entire oak forest to build the 15-foot-tall foundation. The castle is one of the most recognizable and popular historical monuments in Denmark.
