Isted Lion 🇩🇪

When you visit Flensburg, Germany, you will encounter the Isted Lion (also known as the Flensburg Lion), a historic Danish war monument created by sculptor Herman Wilhelm Bissen. Unveiled in 1862 at St Mary's Cemetery, this impressive four-meter-tall bronze statue originally commemorated the 1850 Battle of Isted—the largest battle in Scandinavian history—and served as a memorial to the Danish dead.

Its design derives from the arms of Denmark and Schleswig, featuring a majestic lion modeled after a live specimen Bissen studied in Paris. As you stand before the monument, you can admire its Bornholm stone plinth decorated with four round metal reliefs depicting Danish officers Generals Krogh and Schleppegrell, alongside Colonels Helgesen and Læssøe, as well as its original Danish inscription.

You should visit to experience a statue with a remarkable journey; after Prussian forces seized it in 1864, it spent decades in Berlin military sites before the United States Army helped return it to Denmark after World War II. In September 2011, the monument officially returned to its original home at the military cemetery in Flensburg, offering you a unique glimpse into the region's complex shared history.

What to see at Isted Lion

• A four-meter-tall bronze lion monument sculpted by Herman Wilhelm Bissen.
• Bornholm stone plinth with metal reliefs of four Danish military officers.
• Commemorates the Battle of Isted, the largest battle in Scandinavian history.
• Historic journey spanning Flensburg, Berlin, Copenhagen, and back to Flensburg.

Visiting tips

Look closely at the plinth to view the four detailed metal reliefs depicting Danish officers from the First Schleswig War.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Isted Lion is easy to reach on Flensburg’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Flensburg travel guide.