Gedenkstein Memorial Park
A solemn maritime memorial honoring Fanø's lost sailors and the human cost of the island's golden age.
Gedenkstein is a solemn maritime memorial located in the heart of Fanø's natural landscape, dedicated to the memory of sailors lost at sea since 1872. Centered around a bronze sculpture depicting a Fanø woman with her children, the memorial features 21 commemorative stones honoring seafarers who never returned home. This peaceful site reflects the island's profound maritime heritage and the human cost of its once-thriving sailing ship era.
A brief summary to Gedenkstein
- Ved Skoven, Fanø, 6720, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit during daylight hours to clearly read the inscriptions on the commemorative stones and appreciate the bronze sculpture's details.
- Combine your visit with the nearby Fanø Forest Playground or forest plantations for a fuller exploration of the island's natural areas.
- Consider visiting the Fanø Maritime and Costume Museum to deepen your understanding of the island's seafaring heritage and the stories behind the memorial.
- The site is peaceful and contemplative; allow time for quiet reflection rather than rushing through the memorial.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
- Seating Areas
Getting There
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Car
From Fanø's main town of Nordby, drive south toward Sønderho on the island's main road. Follow signs toward the forest plantations and turn onto Ved Skoven. Parking is available near the memorial site. Travel time from Nordby is approximately 15–20 minutes. The road is well-maintained and suitable for all vehicles year-round.
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Bicycle
Fanø is highly cycle-friendly with dedicated cycling paths throughout the island. From Nordby, follow the eastern cycling route southward toward Sønderho, then turn onto Ved Skoven to reach the memorial. The journey takes approximately 25–35 minutes depending on starting point. The terrain is relatively flat with some gentle slopes through forest areas.
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Walking
The memorial is accessible on foot from Sønderho village, approximately 1.5–2 kilometers away via forest paths and local roads. The walk takes 20–30 minutes and passes through pleasant woodland scenery. The final approach involves a short walk through the forest to reach the memorial site.
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Ferry and Car
From mainland Denmark, take the ferry from Esbjerg to Fanø (approximately 12 minutes crossing time). Ferries operate multiple times daily; standard foot passenger fares are approximately 50–70 DKK. Upon arrival, rent a car or use local transport to reach Gedenkstein, approximately 5–10 kilometers from the ferry terminal.
Gedenkstein location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Gedenkstein
A Monument to Maritime Sacrifice
Gedenkstein stands as a poignant reminder of Fanø's seafaring past and the countless lives claimed by the sea. The memorial was formally established in 1949 to honor sailors who perished at sea or in foreign ports since 1872. At its heart lies a bronze sculpture of a Fanø woman with her son and daughter, a haunting image that captures the emotional weight of maritime loss. The 21 commemorative stones surrounding this central figure each represent individual sailors whose names and stories are preserved in the island's collective memory.The Human Toll of Fanø's Golden Age
Fanø was once home to one of Denmark's largest sailing ship fleets, with vessels known in ports across the world. Yet this prosperity came at an extraordinary human cost. Over 500 sailors from Fanø never returned from their voyages. The year 1825 alone witnessed a catastrophic loss: 40 women became widows and 100 children lost their fathers in a single year. The memorial stones commemorate those who died from 1872 onward, while church archives preserve the names and memories of those lost in earlier decades. This memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of generations of seafarers whose ambitions and labor built the island's wealth.A Place of Quiet Reflection
Nestled within Fanø's natural landscape, Gedenkstein offers visitors a space for contemplation and remembrance. The setting combines natural beauty with profound historical significance, creating an atmosphere that is simultaneously peaceful and deeply moving. The memorial's location within the island's forest plantations and heathlands connects the site to the broader environment that shaped Fanø's identity. Visitors walking among the stones encounter not merely names, but the stories of families torn apart by the demands of maritime commerce and the unpredictable dangers of the sea.Fanø's Maritime Legacy
The memorial cannot be separated from the broader narrative of Fanø's maritime history. The island's rise to prominence began in 1741 with its redemption from royal control, an event that sparked the rapid expansion of its merchant fleet. Fanø's sailors and shipbuilders became renowned throughout Europe, and the island's traditional dress—the distinctive Fanø costume—became a symbol of this proud seafaring culture. Today, the Fanø Maritime and Costume Museum preserves this heritage, documenting both the triumphs and tragedies of the island's golden age. Gedenkstein complements these institutional records by providing a physical, emotional anchor to the human experiences behind the statistics.Visiting the Memorial
The memorial is accessible year-round and requires no admission fee. Its location at Ved Skoven places it within easy reach of other natural attractions on the island, including the Fanø Forest Playground and various forest plantations. The site is best visited during daylight hours when the inscriptions on the stones are clearly visible. The peaceful woodland setting makes it an appropriate destination for solitary reflection or small group visits. Those interested in Fanø's maritime history will find the memorial a meaningful complement to visits to the island's churches, which feature numerous votive ships and further testify to the seafaring traditions that defined the community.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Fano Bed and Boats
2.3 km
Charming seaside bed & breakfast and boat rental in Nordby, Fanø—offering cozy rooms and authentic maritime experiences on Denmark’s storied North Sea island.
Fanø Krogaard
2.5 km
Experience the timeless charm of Fanø Krogaard, a historic inn blending Nordic cuisine, island tradition, and warm hospitality in the heart of Nordby harbour.
Fanø Tourist Office
2.6 km
Centrally located on Fanø, the Tourist Office is the ideal starting point for discovering authentic island charm, local culture, and practical travel advice.
FanøFærgen, Esbjerg
5.1 km
Compact harbor terminal in Esbjerg serving the fast 12‑minute Fanø ferry, linking mainland bustle with island calm in the Wadden Sea UNESCO landscape.
Esbjerg Water Tower
5.8 km
Historic red-brick water tower on a Bronze Age mound overlooking Esbjerg’s harbour, blending medieval-inspired architecture with the story of a young, ambitious port city.
Dronning Louise
6.0 km
Urban beachfront serenity meets Danish royal heritage at Marselisborg Strand, Aarhus’ favorite local escape for swimming, sunbathing, and seaside strolls year-round.
Denmark
6.1 km
Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’s urban beach escape, offering sandy shores, a classic pier, family-friendly facilities, and beautiful views right at the city’s edge.
Namaste Esbjerg
6.1 km
Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’ vibrant urban beach, blending sandy coastline, tranquil bay views, and easy access to city highlights and lush forest parks.
Vadehavskysten
6.3 km
An iconic copper bridge tower turned cultural gem, offering harbor panoramas, intimate events, and a taste of Copenhagen’s creative spirit on Knippelsbro.
Begravet bunker
8.2 km
A preserved German WWII bunker revealing the hidden lives of occupation soldiers beneath Danish soil.
Hjerting Badehotel
10.3 km
Picturesque sandy beach blending serene sea views, lush forests, and family-friendly facilities just minutes from Aarhus city center.
Sønderho Church
10.7 km
An 18th‑century island church filled with Denmark’s largest flotilla of votive ships, anchoring Sønderho’s seafaring history in a tranquil Wadden Sea village.
Æ Kåver
10.9 km
Reborn wooden seamark on Fanø’s southern edge, Æ Kåver recalls 17th‑century seafaring in a wild Wadden Sea landscape of wind, sand and wide horizons.
Kammerslusen Ribe
21.5 km
Discover Copenhagen's Black Diamond: A fusion of modern architecture and cultural heritage on the waterfront.
Queen Dagmar of Bohemia
26.4 km
A contemplative statue on Ribe’s former castle hill, honouring the gentle 13th‑century Queen Dagmar where her life and legend became entwined with Denmark’s history.
Unmissable attractions to see
Skovhaven Torp Plantage
0.1 km
A sheltered woodland garden with fairy-tale sculptures, forest lake, and picnic areas perfect for families.
Fanø Vesterland Festival
0.7 km
Step into the historic world of duck decoy trapping at Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje, where Fanø’s coastal landscape and folk ingenuity come vividly to life.
Mindesten for Det Økumeniske Kirkemøde 1934
0.9 km
Set off across wild tidal flats from Fanø’s tranquil south end to witness unforgettable seal colonies and the windswept beauty of the Wadden Sea coastline.
Danland Fanø
0.9 km
Unfussy seaside holiday apartments with pools and dunes-on-the-doorstep access to Fanø’s wide North Sea beach and Wadden Sea landscapes.
The Beach on Fanø
0.9 km
A vast, wind‑shaped ribbon of sand where you can drive on the shore, chase kites across tidal flats, and feel the full, wide‑open spirit of Denmark’s North Sea coast.
Club Fanø
1.0 km
Island adventure hub offering seal safaris, beach sports, and coastal experiences on Denmark's famous Fanø.
Club Fanø Rindby
1.0 km
Fanø's premier hub for kite sports, beach adventures, and Nordic coastal experiences with expert instruction and welcoming spirit.
Hotel Fanø Bad
1.2 km
Unpretentious beachside base on Fanø’s dune fringe, where simple rooms, sea air and vast North Sea sands set the tone for slow, outdoorsy island days.
Fanø Bryghus
1.3 km
Denmark's westernmost craft brewery, where sea-inspired beers and vibrant community meet.
Fanoe Bad Beach
1.3 km
A sweeping North Sea beach on Fanø where ever-widening sands, steady winds and simple seaside comforts meet the wild energy of the Wadden Sea.
Rindby beach
1.5 km
Vast North Sea sands, drive-on beach freedom, and kite-filled skies make Rindby Beach Fanø’s classic, family-friendly shoreline on Denmark’s wild west coast.
Rindby Strand
1.7 km
Wide, drive-on sands, kite-filled skies and classic Danish dune scenery make Rindby Strand Fanø’s easygoing North Sea playground for long, windblown beach days.
Bunkers on Fanø
2.1 km
Concrete relics of the Atlantic Wall scattered across Fanø’s dunes and beaches, where stark wartime bunkers meet wide North Sea horizons.
Fanø Museum
2.2 km
Step into an 18th-century skipper’s home in Nordby and discover how Fanø’s seafaring families lived, worked and kept island traditions alive by the North Sea.
Fanø Lokalhistorisk Forening
2.2 km
Small but rich local archive where Fanø’s seafaring past, village life and family stories are preserved in photos, papers and quiet, absorbing detail.
Essential places to dine
Kellers Badehotel
0.8 km
Historic beachfront hotel on Fanø combining coastal Danish charm, gourmet dining, and immersive island hospitality with sweeping North Sea views and a storied heritage.
Pelargoniehuset
0.9 km
Relaxed seaside restaurant on Fanø’s west coast, serving simple Danish comfort food and cakes just steps from dunes, golf course and the island’s broad North Sea beach.
Axel's Kitchen
0.9 km
Authentic Italian pizzeria with indoor playground, celebrating local Fanø ingredients and family moments.
LIGHTHOUSE BURGERS
1.1 km
Gourmet-minded burger bar on Fanø, serving organic local beef, house-made buns and sauces, and a relaxed island atmosphere just a stroll from Nordby’s heart.
Stoppestedet I/S
1.2 km
Casual, family-friendly fast food on holiday island Fanø, serving hearty portions of fish, chips and burgers a short hop from the wide North Sea beach.
Restaurant Dino
1.3 km
Casual island restaurant in Fanø Bad serving pizzas, Bosnian specialities and Danish comfort food just steps from the North Sea dunes.
VadeMad
1.3 km
Casual food‑truck dining paired with island‑brewed craft beer, set in the laid‑back courtyard of Fanø Bryghus just a short stroll from the Wadden Sea.
Rudbecks Fanø
1.9 km
Cosy family-run café, deli and wine bar on Fanø’s main street, celebrating local organic produce, Fanø salmon and cheeses in a warm, relaxed village setting.
Tacobørsen
2.0 km
Colorful Mexican-inspired street food on Fanø’s main street, perfect for easy takeout, casual meals and beach picnics between dunes, harbor walks and village strolls.
Restaurant Aroma - Fanø øko Øl
2.0 km
Cosy island restaurant and organic microbrewery in a historic skipper’s villa at the heart of Nordby, pairing house‑brewed Fanø beers with relaxed European plates.
Fanø Pizza
2.1 km
Straightforward Danish-style pizza and takeaway favorites in Nordby, offering an easy, kid-friendly dinner option after a day exploring windswept Fanø.
Pandekagehuset Fanø
2.1 km
Cosy island creperie in Nordby serving generous sweet and savoury pancakes with a hygge-filled courtyard and relaxed Fanø village atmosphere.
Haven Fanø
2.1 km
Cosy 1849 island house turned boutique hotel, café and garden retreat, serving organic breakfasts and Fanø’s own flavours in the heart of Nordby.
Den Lille Cafe
2.3 km
A snug, inexpensive cafe on Fanø’s main street where simple Danish cooking, warm lighting and local conversation create an easygoing island living-room feel.
Konsulen nordby
2.4 km
Intimate, candlelit dining on Nordby’s historic main street, where simple Scandinavian comfort meets the relaxed rhythm of island life on Fanø.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
SPAR
0.9 km
Fanø's reliable supermarket steps from the beach, serving locals and visitors daily.
Victoria's Palace
0.9 km
A cosy Nordic-style interiors and gift shop in the heart of Fanø Bad, where coastal charm and Scandinavian design meet just moments from the wide North Sea beach.
Fanø Lys
0.9 km
Candlelit hygge, local delicacies and island design come together at this cozy Fanø shop just behind the dunes of the North Sea.
Rindby Supermarked A/S
1.1 km
Spacious island supermarket in Rindby, combining early-morning bakery aromas, full-range groceries and relaxed holiday extras near Fanø’s west coast dunes.
Mission Afrika Genbrug
1.3 km
Cosy Nordby thrift shop where island finds, friendly volunteers and second-hand treasures help fund Mission Afrika’s community projects far beyond Fanø.
Fanø Lægeurtehave
1.4 km
Traditional herb shop preserving natural wellness practices on Denmark's peaceful Fanø Island.
Kunstladen
1.7 km
A colourful Fanø island boutique where Scandinavian design, clothing, gifts and craft supplies fill a bright, welcoming space just behind the dunes of Rindby.
Fanø Angus & Merino
1.8 km
Small Fanø farm shop turning island pastures into premium Angus beef and soft Merino yarn, offering an authentic taste – and texture – of Wadden Sea life.
SuperBrugsen
1.8 km
Fanø’s central supermarket hub, blending everyday Danish island life with convenient shopping for self-catering holidays and beachbound visitors in Nordby.
Fanø Brugsforening
1.8 km
Fanø’s friendly SuperBrugsen co-op in Nordby, keeping islanders and visitors stocked with fresh food, Danish staples and everyday essentials near the harbour.
Kulturfabrikken, frkToft
1.9 km
Playful island ceramics with vintage prints, crooked edges and plenty of humor, crafted and displayed in a characterful studio-shop on Fanø’s main street.
Westwind
2.0 km
Coastal clothing hub on Nordby’s main street, equipping you with practical sports and leisure wear for Fanø’s ever‑changing North Sea weather.
Christel Seyfarth Butik
2.0 km
A vivid studio-store on Fanø where bold fair-isle inspired knitwear, quality yarns and island traditions come together in a richly coloured creative universe.
SALT
2.0 km
A small-but-stylish fashion and lifestyle shop in Nordby’s former bank building, SALT blends island charm with Scandinavian design on Fanø’s main street.
Rikke Sandford
2.2 km
Intimate Fanø boutique for Scandinavian children’s clothing, offering carefully curated outfits, shoes and accessories for girls in a cosy, owner-run setting.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Kabyssen
1.0 km
Fanø's cherished community bar serving authentic Danish island hospitality with live music and genuine warmth.
Hjørnekroen
2.5 km
Cosy corner bar in Nordby where Fanø’s island life, live music nights and classic Danish bodega charm come together over draught beer and easy conversation.
Dokken City Beach
5.3 km
A pocket of sand, deckchairs and drinks on Esbjerg Harbour, Dokken City Beach turns the working waterfront into a relaxed urban seaside escape.
Havkatten
5.7 km
Old-school Esbjerg harbour bar with 80s tunes, pool, darts and everyday prices, offering a relaxed window into the city’s down-to-earth nightlife.
Horns Rev Bodega & Bar
5.8 km
A no-frills Danish bodega in central Esbjerg, where wood-panelled warmth, affordable drinks, and local camaraderie capture the city’s everyday pub culture.
Pioner Bar Esbjerg
6.0 km
Late-night Esbjerg bar on Torvet with cheap cold beer, classic party hits from the ’80s to today, and a lively dance floor packed with locals and visitors.
SoHo - Bar & Cocktails
6.0 km
Adults-focused cocktail bar tucked inside Esbjerg Street Food’s old theatre hall, pairing crafted drinks, modern design and a lively, central city atmosphere.
HomeRun Esbjerg
6.0 km
Lively gastro sports bar above Esbjerg’s main square, with wall-to-wall screens, bar games, casual bites and late-night energy on weekends.
Corners Pub
6.0 km
A cozy neighborhood pub where cold beers and warm hospitality define the Danish experience.
Pappi's pub
6.0 km
Unpretentious, drinks-first bar on Kongensgade offering a simple Danish pub vibe, easy prices and a central stop-off point in the heart of Esbjerg.
Dowdi Pub Bar
6.1 km
Old-school brown pub in central Esbjerg with inexpensive beers, wood‑panelled charm and a relaxed, local crowd from daytime regulars to late‑night lingerers.
James Bond Esbjerg
6.1 km
Late-opening dance bar on Skolegade in Esbjerg, where a mature crowd sings along to classic hits and keeps the party going until early morning.
Kasket Karl
6.1 km
Legendary Esbjerg pub on Skolegade, pouring beer and hosting darts, dice and laid‑back evenings since 1975 in a warmly lit, unpretentious setting.
Vinbaren
6.1 km
Intimate, dimly lit and disarmingly casual, Vinbaren is Esbjerg’s brown-bar style wine hangout for late-night chats, cheap pours and the occasional close-up concert.
Industrien
6.1 km
Historic Danish bar where 130+ years of tradition meets contemporary hospitality on Esbjerg's vibrant Skolegade.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Romantic
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Sacred Sites
- Historic
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Scenic
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Myth & Legends
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Couple Friendly