Imagine the chilling final moments of condemned men. Right here once stood the Henrettelsesskur or Execution Shed. It was one of two sites in Denmark where death sentences were carried out after World War II.
The Henrettelsesskur was erected on the grounds of what is now Christiania. Specifically, it stood on 2. Redan of Enveloppen near Margretheholm. Today, this area is known as Dyssen.
This seemingly ordinary wooden structure held a dark purpose. The Henrettelsesskur was designed by an architect. But its purpose was far from ordinary. The original drawings label it as a “Pistolskydeplads”. This translates to “shooting range” or “firing range”. The drawings also mention a “Skur til Skiver” or shed for targets. Yet, it was solely built for executions.
Picture a simple wooden shed. It has a concrete floor designed for a grim task. This floor sloped slightly toward a drain. The drain was designed to wash away blood after the executions. You can still see this concrete floor with its drain today.
Thirty men met their end at the Henrettelsesskur by firing squad. The last execution here was that of Ib Birkedal Hansen. It happened on July 20 1950 at 1 AM. He was also the last person executed in Denmark. Sixteen others were executed at Undallslund.
Executions took place between 12:30 AM and 3 AM. The condemned were bound with ropes. Their arms, hips and ankles were secured. Then, ten police officers armed with carbines fired simultaneously. They fired when the commanding officer dropped his hand.
The location was chosen carefully. Authorities wanted discretion above all else. A proposal to use Vestre Fængsel’s courtyard was rejected immediately. The site was selected during an excursion in October 1945. Participants included the police director and the Justice Ministry’s architect.
2. Redan was ideal. Access was restricted. The navy conducted regular explosions nearby. A volley of gunfire would not attract undue attention. Furthermore, the location was practical. The police convoy could travel quickly from Vestre Fængsel. The trip to the site took only 15 to 20 minutes.
Architect Knud Barfoed considered mundane details. The Henrettelsesskur needed good access for police vehicles. It also needed access for hearses from the undertaker. Water for rinsing blood could be sourced from a ditch nearby. The shed was built without metal fittings facing the firing squad. This was to prevent ricochets. Loose planks lined the back wall. These planks could easily be replaced after being shot. Inside, there were always two buckets and a mop. These were there to clean up the blood.
The Henrettelsesskur stands as a chilling reminder. It is a reminder of a dark chapter in Danish history. Its simple structure belies the gravity of its purpose. As you stand here, remember those final moments. Consider the weight of justice and the finality of death.