Genforeningssten på Ejer Bavnehøj

A Monument to National Reunification

The Genforeningssten stands as one of Denmark's most significant historical memorials, erected in December 1920 to celebrate the reunification of South Jutland (Sønderjylland) with Denmark following the Schleswig plebiscite. The stone itself is a raw, unhewn granite block weighing 13 tons, sourced from a field 3 kilometers south of Ejer Bavnehøj. Its inscription, chosen through a public competition, reads: "Here I am set as a beacon stone—to the honor of South Jutlanders—Danish they were, and Danish they became—and Danish they will remain—1920." This poetic declaration captures the emotional significance of the moment, when centuries of separation ended and national identity was reaffirmed.

The Extraordinary Journey of the Stone

The transportation of the Genforeningssten represents a remarkable feat of community effort and determination. Over 100 volunteers, working alongside eight horses borrowed from local farmers on a rotating basis, labored for days to haul the massive stone from its original location to the summit of Ejer Bavnehøj. The stone was finally unveiled on a bitterly cold December day in 1920, becoming an instant symbol of popular unity and national pride. This collective endeavor—involving both human strength and animal power—embodied the spirit of the reunification movement and demonstrated the depth of public commitment to the cause.

The Genforeningstårnet: A Towering Companion

In 1924, four years after the stone's installation, a complementary monument was completed: the Genforeningstårnet (Reunification Tower), designed by architect Jens Laustsen. Standing 12.5 meters high and constructed from 100,000 bricks, the tower was funded by public donation and built by master mason Aage Wegener from Skanderborg. The structure features a distinctive double triumphal arch design with four supporting legs, each measuring 2.5 by 2.5 meters, oriented toward the cardinal directions. The tower's inscriptions—"Raised by the Danish People" (north) and "South Schleswig Reunited with the Motherland" (south)—frame a bronze relief portrait of King Christian X, who visited the site in 1921 to honor the stone. An elevator, installed in 2002, allows visitors to ascend to the tower's summit for panoramic views.

Landscape and Vistas from the Summit

Ejer Bavnehøj rises to 170.35 meters above sea level, making it Denmark's third-highest natural point. The location sits within the Ejer Bjerge (Ejer Mountains), a distinctive moraine landscape sculpted during the final phase of the last ice age. From the tower's platform, the undulating terrain of this glacial formation stretches southward in all directions. On clear days, visibility extends across the eastern Jutland ice-marginal line to Samsø island and the Great Belt Bridge, offering one of Denmark's most expansive inland vistas. The surrounding landscape—with its gentle hills, forests, and agricultural land—provides a serene natural backdrop to the historical monuments.

Heritage Protection and Modern Improvements

The site has been protected since 1917, when a small 0.3-hectare area was designated as the first nature reserve under Denmark's 1917 Nature Conservation Act. In 2006, protection was expanded to 3.3 hectares to preserve views and enhance visitor facilities. Between 2016 and 2019, comprehensive renovations modernized the site, including the restoration of pathways and stairs, the relocation of the Genforeningssten to a more prominent position, and the addition of a new performance pavilion. These improvements have transformed Ejer Bavnehøj into a fully accessible national memorial while respecting its historical integrity.

A Living Place of Gathering and Memory

Historically, Ejer Bavnehøj served as a bavnehøj—a beacon hill where signal fires were lit from Viking times onward to summon people to assemblies or warn of enemy approach. This ancient function as a gathering place lends deeper meaning to its modern role as a national memorial. Today, the site hosts public events, commemorations, and pilgrimages, particularly around June 9 (Danish Flag Day) and other national occasions. The combination of the stone, tower, parking facilities, kiosk, and open gathering spaces makes Ejer Bavnehøj a destination where history, landscape, and community memory converge.