What does it mean to give your life for freedom? The Modstandsbevægelsens faldne Statue stands as a solemn reminder. It honors those who sacrificed everything during the Danish resistance.
This statue is not just stone and bronze. It embodies the spirit of courage and resilience. It stands near the entrance to Kastellet in Copenhagen. The statue is a short walk from the Frihedsmuseet.
The inscription reads: “Vore Faldne i dansk og allieret krigstjeneste 1940-1945 – Rejst af det danske folk.” It translates to “Our Fallen in Danish and Allied War Service 1940-1945 – Erected by the Danish People.”
The Modstandsbevægelsens faldne Statue was erected in 1957. Svend Lindhart created the bronze sculpture. It rests on a limestone base. The statue commemorates soldiers killed during World War II.
Nearby, Mindelunden holds a deeper story. This park started in August 1945. It honors those fallen in the resistance movement. These people died during the German occupation of Denmark from 1940 to 1945. The park was inaugurated in 1950.
Landscape architect Aksel Andersen and architect Kaj Gottlob designed Mindelunden. Gottlob designed the entrance at Tuborgvej. Sculptor Axel Poulsen created the monument “Mor og søn” or “Mother and Son.”
Originally, Ryvangens Kaserne used the area as training grounds. During the occupation, Germans used it for executions. They executed resistance fighters and others. After liberation, bodies of 197 executed individuals were found. 106 are buried here with other fallen resistance members.
Memorial plaques honor those who died in German concentration camps. Access to Mindelunden is via Major Anders Lassens Vej. In 2017, a memorial was added. It honors Danish sailors who died during World War II. Per Arnoldi created “Sortladne Hav” or “Black-Laden Sea.” In 2019, Bjørn Nørgaards memorial honored Danish soldiers.
The Modstandsbevægelsens faldne Statue is more than a monument. It links to Mindelunden. Together, they are a place to remember. They prompt reflection on sacrifice and freedom.
Take a moment here. Consider the cost of freedom. Remember those who stood against tyranny. Let their courage inspire us all. This statue ensures their memory lives on.