The original sculpture was cast in zinc by sculptor Herman Wilhelm Bissen at the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory.
The monument was a central point of national identity contention between Denmark and Germany for over 150 years.
When the original statue was returned to Denmark in 2011, it was the first time in history a war trophy was returned from Germany to Denmark.
The replica currently in Stahnsdorf was commissioned to ensure the site's historical memorial function remained intact after the original's repatriation.
The lion is depicted in a recumbent position, a departure from more common heraldic or aggressive lion poses in 19th-century statuary.
The Isted Lion is a monumental cast-zinc sculpture commemorating the Battle of Isted, originally erected in Flensburg in 1862. Created by sculptor Herman Wilhelm Bissen, it signifies a complex history of German-Danish conflict over the Duchy of Schleswig. Following the Second Schleswig War, it was moved to Berlin by the Prussian military as a war trophy in 1864. After being displayed at the Berlin Arsenal, it was relocated to the Stahnsdorf South-Western Cemetery in 1956. The monument serves as a memorial for German soldiers who fell during the 1848–1851 uprising. It was restored and returned to its original location in Flensburg in 2011, making the current Stahnsdorf site a replica cast.
Directly in front of the pedestal to capture the lion's full profile against the backdrop of the cemetery's mature trees.
Combine your visit with a walk through the South-Western Cemetery, one of the largest and most architecturally significant forest cemeteries in Europe.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the cemetery grounds are expansive and feature uneven, natural pathways.
Do not mistake the replica for the original, which now resides in Denmark; avoid disturbing grave markers while navigating the park.
The cemetery grounds are accessible daily, though access to certain internal administrative or chapel buildings may vary.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor as this is an active and historic cemetery.
