Alter Friedhof / Idstedt-Löwe

Idstedt Lion and Old Cemetery Flensburg – History and Remembrance

The Idstedt Lion in the Old Cemetery in Flensburg is one of the significant historical attractions of the harbor city. The monument commemorates the Battle of Idstedt in 1850 and tells of the tumultuous German-Danish history of Schleswig-Holstein.

The Old Cemetery Flensburg was established in 1813 and is among the oldest preserved cemeteries in the city. The park-like facility, with its old trees, historic graves, and monuments, invites visitors for a quiet stroll today. Particularly noteworthy is the neoclassical cemetery chapel designed by the Danish architect Axel Bundsen.

The Idstedt Lion was originally erected in the Old Cemetery in 1862. After a tumultuous history, the monument returned to its original location in 2011. Today, the lion not only represents the conflicts of the past but is also understood as a symbol of German-Danish friendship and understanding.

The Old Cemetery is part of the historical Flensburg landscape gardens and is located in close proximity to the Museumsberg and Christiansen Park. This allows for an ideal combination of the visit with a walk through one of Flensburg's historic and green areas.

At a Glance

• Historical Old Cemetery in Flensburg
• Idstedt Lion as a monument of German-Danish history
• Historic graves and monuments
• Neoclassical cemetery chapel by Axel Bundsen
• Park-like layout with old tree growth
• Part of the Flensburg landscape gardens
• Place of remembrance and understanding

Our tip: Take your time for a walk through the Old Cemetery and combine the visit with the Museumsberg and Christiansen Park.