“Gunshots once shattered the peace here” echoes in the stillness of Pistolskydebanen. This site holds a dark secret. It was a place of execution during the Nazi occupation. The Pistolskydebanen was initially part of the military facility. It belonged to the Engineer Barracks in Ryvangen.
The German occupation forces began executing Danish resistance fighters here. The Germans later moved the executions. They moved them to the Execution Site. This was because locals became aware of the grim events. The Nazis wanted to keep the executions secret from the Danish public.
Today, Pistolskydebanen is a protected site. It gained this status in 1990. It is the most recent addition to Mindelunden.
In front of Pistolskydebanen stands a memorial stone. Freedom Fighters veterans erected it on May 4 1990. This marked the 45th anniversary of Denmark’s liberation.
The memorial stone bears an inscription. It reads “Erected in memory of executed Danish freedom fighters 1943-1945”. The stone marks the edge of Ryvangen Naturpark. Here, the first resistance fighters were executed by the Germans.
Residents living near Pistolskydebanen witnessed unsettling scenes. Large trucks carrying Danish civilians arrived. Soon after, gunshots echoed through the area.
Ryvangen Memorial Park commemorates Danish freedom fighters. Some were executed here. Others died in German concentration camps during World War II. The park is on the former military training grounds of Svanemøllen Barracks. On August 29 1943 the Germans seized the grounds. They used it for troop accommodation and executions.
After the war, 197 bodies of freedom fighters were found. The Danish public then understood the horrors that had occurred here.
The original shooting range is within the Memorial Park. Germans used it to execute Danish freedom fighters. They were brought from Vestre Prison in Copenhagen. Here, they were tied to poles and shot. Bronze posts now stand where the original wooden ones stood. The originals are now in the Museum of Danish Resistance.
Visiting Pistolskydebanen is a somber experience. It reminds us of the sacrifices made for freedom. It encourages reflection on a dark period in Danish history. The site stands as a testament to the resilience and courage of the Danish people. It serves as a place of remembrance and respect.