Background

Mindesten for Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment, Horsens

A modest forest memorial stone that quietly recalls Horsens’ century as a cavalry garrison town and the legacy of Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment.

3.8

Half-hidden among the trees on the western edge of Horsens, the Mindesten for Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment is a quiet memorial stone dedicated to the cavalry regiment once stationed in the town from 1724 to 1842. Raised in 1942, on the centenary of the regiment’s departure, this modest boulder with its carved inscription anchors a small clearing in the forest, inviting a short, reflective pause and a glimpse into Horsens’ long military history amid birdsong and rustling leaves.

A brief summary to Mindesten for Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment

  • Horsens, DK
  • Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Combine the memorial with a longer walk or bike ride through the surrounding forest to make the short stop more rewarding.
  • Bring a short note or screenshot about Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment’s history so the dates on the stone gain clearer context.
  • Wear sturdy shoes; access typically involves unpaved forest paths that can be muddy or slippery after rain.
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Getting There

  • Local bus from Horsens city centre

    From central Horsens, use a city bus heading toward the western residential districts near Bygholm and the surrounding forests; typical journey times from the centre are around 10–20 minutes depending on the exact route and stop. A single adult ticket on local buses in the Horsens area usually costs about 20–30 DKK and can be bought from the driver or via regional ticket apps. Services run regularly during the day, but evening and weekend frequencies are lower, so check the timetable in advance and be prepared for a short walk on forest paths from the nearest stop, which may not be suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

  • Taxi from Horsens city centre

    Taxis from the centre of Horsens to the forest area around the memorial generally take about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic and the closest point where the driver can safely drop you near the trailhead. Typical fares for this distance fall in the range of 120–180 DKK, with higher prices at night and on weekends. This option is convenient if you are short on time or travelling in a small group, but you will still need to walk the final stretch along unpaved paths, so dress for forest terrain.

  • Cycling from Horsens city centre

    Horsens is a cycle-friendly town, and the forests west of the centre are reachable by bike in roughly 15–25 minutes at a relaxed pace, using a combination of urban cycle lanes and quieter local roads. There is no dedicated bike parking at the memorial itself, so plan to leave your bicycle at the edge of the forest and continue on foot. If you rent a bike in town, expect daily rental prices starting around 80–150 DKK depending on the type of bicycle and duration.

Mindesten for Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment location weather suitability

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A forest clearing with a story to tell

Tucked into woodland outside central Horsens, the Mindesten for Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment is easy to overlook at first glance: a single granite boulder in a small clearing, framed by tall trees and undergrowth. Yet this quiet spot marks a chapter when Horsens was not just a provincial town, but a garrison city with cavalry troops, horses and marching bands woven into daily life. The stone stands a little away from busy streets, so the approach is through soft forest light, birdsong and the crunch of twigs underfoot. As the trees open, the boulder appears almost abruptly, simple and unadorned, with only a carefully cut inscription to hint at the weight of memory it carries.

From cavalry town to commemorative stone

Det Slesvigske Kyrasserregiment, a heavy cavalry regiment, had its home in Horsens from 1724 until 1842. For more than a century, uniforms, horses and military routines were part of the town’s rhythm, and the regiment helped shape local identity as well as the economy. The regiment began arriving as early as 1722, gradually turning Horsens into a fully fledged garrison town over the following years. When the regiment left Horsens in 1842, it ended a long era. A hundred years later, in 1942, this memorial stone was raised to mark the centenary of that departure. The unveiling was accompanied by a ceremonial procession of former soldiers with banners, underlining how strongly the regiment still resonated in local memory.

The inscription and its symbolism

Up close, the stone’s inscription is the main focal point. The words commemorate the regiment and the years it was based in Horsens, turning a rough boulder into a precise historical marker. There is no grand sculpture or dramatic relief here, just chiselled text and a carefully chosen stone, typical of Danish memorial traditions that favour simplicity and sincerity over spectacle. This restraint gives the site much of its character. Visitors can focus on the dates, the regiment’s name and the thought that generations of cavalrymen trained, lived and marched in and around this very area. The forest setting adds a sense of distance in time, as if the landscape has slowly reclaimed what was once a busy military environment.

A short, reflective stop in the woods

Today the memorial functions as a small pause point for walkers and history-minded visitors exploring the Horsens area. The clearing is informal and un-fenced, with no elaborate infrastructure, so time spent here tends to be quiet and contemplative. It works well as a brief detour on a longer forest walk or cycling route, with just enough detail to anchor a conversation about the town’s role in Danish military history. There are no formal exhibits or indoor displays; instead, the experience relies on the stone, the setting and a bit of imagination. Knowing that a regimental band once played nearby on Sundays and Wednesdays adds a vivid layer to the scene, making it easy to picture music drifting through the trees where only wind and birds are heard today.

Linking Horsens’ past to the surrounding landscape

As a small memorial in a larger green area, the stone also highlights how Horsens’ history is scattered across its landscape rather than confined to a single museum. It connects forest paths, former parade grounds and the town’s older streets into a broader story of changing defence priorities, urban life and local pride. For those interested in deeper research, local archives and historical societies in Horsens hold photographs and documents related to the regiment and the stone itself, including material created around the 1942 centenary. A visit to the memorial can therefore be the starting point for a wider exploration of how a modest cavalry garrison helped shape the character of this East Jutland town over more than a hundred years.

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