Enjoy the History of Skamlingsbanken

When the smoke from the Napoleonic Wars had cleared, several of the old empires and monarchies in Europe had collapsed. People gathered around national identities, well supported by the Industrial Revolution, which led to economic growth and increased mobility. At the same time, we witnessed a wave of political and social revolutions that challenged the rigid system of absolutism. Political consciousness was awakened. In Denmark, this led to the world’s most boring revolution, led by the national liberals.

Denmark to the Eider

The national liberals demanded a free constitution as well as the annexation of Schleswig to Denmark. Inspired by the revolutions in Paris and other European cities, their political activity culminated in a march to the king's residence on March 21, 1848. When they arrived, they were told that the king had already fulfilled their political demands. So, that was the revolution.

The Popular Assemblies

Under absolutism until 1848, the press was stifled by censorship. But the desire for political discussion was high. This made large public meetings relevant. Here, people gathered to listen to political speeches, enjoy music, and sing in harmony. At Skamlingsbanken, the focus was on the Schleswig issue. It was a cultural struggle for the right to speak the Danish language in the legal and administrative apparatus. Behind this, of course, was a nationalist struggle to ensure that Schleswig remained with Denmark – and not with Holstein and Lauenburg on the German side. The effort for the Danish language paid off. In 1838, King Christian 8. made Danish the official language for the legal and administrative systems down to the border through a so-called language decree.

This was to be celebrated in style. Thus, some men pooled their resources to buy seven hectares of land at the highest point of Skamlingsbanken to celebrate the language decree with an annual public meeting.

The first public meeting was held on May 18, 1843.

The program for the first public meeting was packed with speeches, a large Danish flag procured for the occasion, a dance floor, three cannons, several vendors with tents, bird shooting, a complete orchestra, and a first-voice male choir with 30 members. The evening concluded with festive fire at the top of the hill and communal singing.

From Laurids Skau's speech:

"My dear fellow countrymen! Let us seize the opportunity! The board has sincerely done its part: it has spared no effort, no sacrifice, and no expense. Now let us do ours and, with open minds and happy hearts, enjoy this day! Here is an excellent dance floor and splendid music for it; it is usually the best enjoyment for young girls and lads.

Here is target shooting, which provides an opportunity for fun and skill demonstration, with rewards for that. But for those who cannot partake in these amusements or do not find joy in watching them, there are benches and resting places, tables, and tents; they can seek out their friends and, in all likelihood, pass the time with humorous or serious conversation... ...And now, always to be surrounded by the delightful instrumental music, which alone would be enough to delight the heart, but which is even more elevated by beautifully performed choral songs that move the soul to such an extent that one hardly knows whether one is in Heaven or on Earth. And if despite all this, there are still some sluggish and drowsy, then the thunder of the cannons will rouse their minds from slumber, so that no one here on Skamlingsbanken remains untouched by the impressions of the festival."

Quote from Jakob Petersen: Skamlingsbanken 1843-1943, p. 57.

It is estimated that 6,000 people attended the first meeting. For many years thereafter, the public meetings at Skamlingsbanken were an important voice for the Sønderjylland/Schleswig issue. Without them, it is possible that the Danish border with Germany would have followed the Kongeåen (King’s Stream) just south of Kolding.

Over the years, speakers have delivered a number of significant speeches at Skamlingsbanken, which gradually became a national symbol for the Danish language, identity, and democracy.

Laurids Skau gave important speeches. Regarding the first, Grundtvig wrote: "The word sounded like thunder, rolled over the forest // struck and like thunderclaps, cast a shine upon the waves, // ignited a bonfire in giant arms, ignited Skamlingsbanken's beacon // with the clear flames."

The meeting format made the language festivals something special. Large assemblies. Fiery speeches. Communal singing. Grundtvig himself contributed to the celebration with a fifty-minute long speech about the mother tongue, the spirit of the people, and communal high schools in 1844.

Among other famous speeches, Gyrith Lemche's speech in 1912 for women's suffrage and voting rights at the parliamentary elections can be mentioned. A right that women and servants without their own homes received in 1915. And in 1945, one of the largest open-air meetings ever held in Denmark took place at Skamlingsbanken with 100,000 participants celebrating liberation.

When you reach the highest point of Skamlingsbanken, you stand on the highest 'mountain' in Southern and Sønderjylland. At Højskamlingen, you are raised 113 meters above sea level and have a 360° view over nature, which impresses on all parameters. From here, you can take small or larger hikes – around Højskamlingen or all the way down to the coast on a journey that raises your pulse and allows you to feel the tremendous forces at play during the Ice Age, when the landscape was formed.

If you look closely – or follow the signs – you can find the new Visitor Center at Skamlingbanken hidden in the hills. The center's architectural form blends with the landscape. Stop by and gain much more knowledge about Skamlingsbanken and the history associated with the area. With light, sound, and new storytelling methods, you can dive into the four forces that have ruled Skamlingsbanken over time; namely Nature, Place, Language, and Community. These are the four forces that have shaped Skamlingsbanken from the Ice Age to now and have transformed the highest point in Southern and Sønderjylland into a national gathering place.

When you are at the visitor center, you can buy a fruity pale ale with a rich malt composition to take home in your basket. Do it. Chill it at home and open it on a sunny summer day. Then you can taste the history of Skamlingsbanken and relive the beautiful nature experience you had the day you visited Southern Jutland's highest point.