Statue of Michael Drewsen, Silkeborg

The founder watching over Silkeborg’s square

Michael Drewsen was the driving force behind Silkeborg’s transformation from remote manor land into a thriving paper-mill town in the mid‑19th century. As manager of the Silkeborg paper mill from 1844, he championed everything from better roads and rail connections to gasworks and a telegraph line, helping to plug this lakeside community into the wider world. The statue that bears his name stands on Torvet, the central square, directly in front of the Old Town Hall, as if still keeping an eye on the town he helped create.Here, in the paved open space, the monument doubles as a focal point and a handy landmark. The surrounding façades – including the former town hall and the long‑standing Hotel Dania – form a compact ensemble that feels more like an urban living room than a grand plaza. The sculpture is at human scale, easy to approach and study up close.

Bronze artistry by Pedersen‑Dan

The statue was unveiled in 1892, eighteen years after Drewsen’s death, and was created by sculptor Hans Peder Pedersen‑Dan, also known for his depiction of the legendary Holger Danske at Kronborg Castle. Cast in bronze, Drewsen is portrayed standing, dignified yet approachable, dressed in contemporary 19th‑century attire. The plinth lifts him just high enough to stand out from the crowds while remaining part of daily life on the square.Details in the modelling reward a closer look: the fall of the coat, the expressive posture, and the thoughtful turn of the head suggest a man imagining the future of his town. The work reflects the era’s taste for realistic portrait monuments, meant both to commemorate and to instruct, presenting civic figures as role models in the urban landscape.

From controversy to civic symbol

The idea of honouring Drewsen was not universally embraced. After his death in 1874, proposals for a memorial stirred debate. Some locals argued that his energy had mainly benefited his own enterprises and that he had not adequately safeguarded his workers’ future. Others saw him as the visionary who had put Silkeborg on the map through industrial growth, transport links and the acquisition of the steamer Hjejlen, which still plies the Silkeborg lakes.Despite the disagreement, permission was eventually granted to place the monument in Torvet. Over time, any initial controversy faded and the statue took on a more inclusive role as a symbol of the town’s modern birth. Today, it also connects with wider stories of Danish democracy and industry in the 1800s, echoing the era when new towns emerged around mills, railways and waterways.

Traditions, celebrations and everyday moments

The statue is woven into local custom. One of the most charming traditions sees newly graduated students in white caps dancing around Drewsen’s plinth to celebrate the end of their exams. At other times of year, the square hosts markets and cultural events, with the monument serving as a constant backdrop.For visitors, Torvet offers a natural pause: benches, cafés and nearby fountains create an easygoing atmosphere where you can sit and watch cyclists, families and shoppers flow around the sculpture. In the softer light of morning or evening, the bronze takes on warmer tones, and the modest height makes it a pleasing subject for close‑up photos as well as wider shots capturing the square and church spire beyond.

Gateway to Silkeborg’s historic core

Standing by the statue, you are at the heart of old Silkeborg. Just a short stroll away lies Silkeborg Hovedgård, the former manor house now serving as part of the town’s museum, and the Gudenå River with its historic steamboats. The proximity of these sites underlines Drewsen’s role in tying together industry, transport and civic life.Use the statue as an orienting point while exploring the pedestrian streets radiating from Torvet, where independent shops, bakeries and galleries occupy former townhouses. Even a brief stop at Michael Drewsen’s likeness provides context for the wider story of central Jutland’s lake country: a place where natural beauty and industrious ambition have long gone hand in hand.