See this magnificent stone before you? This is Løvnskjolds Mindestøtte. It stands as a testament to a remarkable man. A tribute to Eggert Christopher Frederik Løvnskjold. He established Europe’s first wild pheasant farm in Kongelunden in 1840.
Løvnskjolds Mindestøtte is more than just a stone. It’s a finely hewn granite monument. It measures 78 x 78 centimeters at its base. It rises 133 centimeters tall. The corners extend upwards. They are adorned with 14-centimeter-high and 16-centimeter-wide quarter-globe shaped ornaments.
The stone rests on a substantial 90 x 90 x 38-centimeter-high pedestal. This in turn sits atop a three-tiered base. Each tier is 25 centimeters high. The lowest tier is 2.45 x 2.45 meters. The middle tier is 1.95 x 1.95 meters. The topmost tier is 1.42 x 1.42 meters. Every surface is polished smooth.
A bronze oak leaf wreath graces the top. A bronze medallion 45 centimeters in diameter is set into the southwest side. It features a portrait relief of Løvnskjold himself. An inscription below the medallion reads E C F LØVENSKJOLD. The north side bears another inscription. It reads FOR STIFTEREN AF DET VILDE FASANERI. DEN GAMLE BRAVE JÆGER REISTES DETTE MINDE AF HANS VENNER DEN 12 SEPT 1862. This translates to: For the founder of the wild pheasant farm. This memorial was erected by his friends September 12th 1862.
Løvnskjold’s innovative pheasant farm supplied the royal house and several large estates. They received hundreds of pheasants annually. While the farm closed in 1929. Pheasants still thrive in Kongelunden today. This memorial’s location is significant. Find Løvnskjolds Mindestøtte at the crossroads in the heart of the forest. It’s a quiet spot. A fitting tribute to a man who left his mark on Denmark’s natural history. This simple stone speaks volumes. It whispers tales of dedication and friendship. A lasting reminder of a unique endeavor. A testament to Løvnskjold’s legacy. A legacy that continues to resonate through the forest and its feathered inhabitants.