Mindesten – Morten Madsen Memorial, Samsø
A modest memorial stone set in Samsø’s quiet countryside, offering a brief, reflective pause amid open fields, island sky and centuries of local history.
Set in the rural landscape of Samsø, the Mindesten – Morten Madsen is a modest memorial stone in a small green space, offering a quiet pause amid fields, sky and sea air. This is not a major monument but a simple, contemplative spot that reflects the island’s tradition of commemorating local figures and stories. Combine a short stop here with wider explorations of Samsø’s villages, churches, burial mounds and coastal views for a deeper sense of island history.
A brief summary to Mindesten - Morten Madsen
- Samsø Municipality, 8305, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.25 to 0.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Pair a brief visit to the memorial with a wider circuit of Samsø’s villages, churches and viewpoints to give this small site more context.
- Aim for morning or late afternoon for softer light and a more contemplative atmosphere, especially if you plan to take photographs.
- Bring a light jacket: the exposed countryside and coastal winds around Samsø can feel cool even in warmer months.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Car from Sælvig ferry harbour
From the Sælvig ferry harbour on Samsø, reaching the memorial area by car typically takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on the exact route and traffic through the island’s central roads. Expect quiet country driving on paved two-lane roads with low speed limits and occasional farm machinery. Parking is usually informal, along the roadside or in a small lay-by near the memorial; there are no marked pay lots, and parking is free. Fuel stations on Samsø are limited, so ensure you have enough fuel before exploring smaller side roads.
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Bicycle from Tranebjerg town
Cycling from Tranebjerg, the main service town on Samsø, is a realistic and popular way to reach small countryside sites like this memorial. Depending on the exact starting point and route, plan for 20–40 minutes each way at a relaxed pace on gently rolling terrain. Roads are generally quiet, but you share them with cars and farm vehicles, and there are only short stretches of dedicated cycle paths. Bicycle rental in Tranebjerg typically costs around 100–200 DKK per day, with basic city or touring bikes available from local shops and accommodation providers.
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Local bus within Samsø
Samsø is served by a small local bus network linking the ferry harbours with villages such as Tranebjerg and Nordby. Buses run less frequently than on the mainland, often with reduced services outside summer and on weekends. A single ticket within the island usually costs in the range of 20–40 DKK, payable in cash or contactless depending on the operator. The nearest stop to the memorial will likely be in a nearby village, from which you may need to walk along a country road for 10–20 minutes, so this option suits travellers comfortable with short walks in rural surroundings.
Mindesten - Morten Madsen location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Mindesten - Morten Madsen
A quiet island tribute in the Samsø countryside
Mindesten – Morten Madsen is a small memorial set in the open landscape of Samsø Municipality, an island long shaped by farmers, sailors and local community figures. Here, the focus is not on grand architecture but on a single commemorative stone, usually set on a simple plinth or low base, surrounded by lawn, hedges or a few trees. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, matching Samsø’s gentle topography and rural character. The memorial lies within the wider story of Samsø, an island that has seen human activity since the Stone Age and served as a strategic crossroads in Viking times, when waterways and nearby Stavns Fjord made it a natural hub. Today the energy is very different: tractors on distant roads, the sound of wind in hedgerows, and the occasional cyclist passing by. The stone acts as a small, human-scale punctuation mark in this broader, centuries-long narrative.Samsø’s long memory and local names
Across Samsø you can trace layers of history in burial mounds, medieval churches and place names tied to farms and families. The Mindesten – Morten Madsen continues this tradition of remembering individuals who played a role in the island’s story, even if only locally recorded. Rather than heroic statuary, you find a simple inscribed stone, a very Scandinavian way of marking a life: modest, durable, and folded naturally into the landscape. Standing here, it is easy to imagine how names, stories and anecdotes have circulated on the island for generations, from Viking legends to tales of kings, landowners and local farmers. The memorial links these grand narratives to a single person, suggesting a more intimate strand of memory that sits alongside the better-known history of fortresses, canals and royal estates elsewhere on Samsø.Landscape, light and island atmosphere
Part of the appeal of visiting this small memorial is less about the stone itself and more about its setting. Samsø is known for soft contours, cultivated fields and expansive skies, and the memorial park reflects this character. Depending on the season, you might see emerging crops, golden grain or freshly harvested fields around you, with skylarks calling overhead and a constant breeze from the Kattegat. Light plays a large role here. On clear days, the stone’s surface stands out sharply against bright grass and blue sky; on overcast afternoons, the mood becomes more subdued and reflective. In spring and summer, the surrounding greenery can feel almost like an outdoor room, offering a brief refuge from busier sightseeing. In autumn, drifting leaves and longer shadows add a more nostalgic tone.A short but meaningful stop on a wider Samsø route
For most travellers, Mindesten – Morten Madsen will be a short stop, perhaps ten or fifteen minutes on a cycling or driving route that also takes in villages, churches and coastal viewpoints. There are no exhibitions or guided tours here, just a plaque and the quiet company of the stone. This simplicity invites you to pause, read the inscription slowly, and consider how many lives on the island have passed largely unrecorded except in places like this. The memorial works particularly well as a counterpoint to Samsø’s more overtly historical sites, such as ancient burial mounds, traces of Viking engineering or the remains of medieval fortifications. After contemplating the large-scale sweep of history, this small park brings you back to a single name and a human scale. It is a reminder that every island story, however grand, is made up of individual lives, each leaving their own, often modest, mark on the landscape.Reflective moments under the Samsø sky
Because there is little formal infrastructure, you are free to shape your own experience here: a quiet moment on a bench if available, a slow walk around the stone, or a few photographs capturing the contrast between carved lettering and open fields. The memorial’s modesty also makes it a gentle introduction for children to the idea of remembrance, without the solemnity of larger war memorials. On a still evening or a bright morning, the combination of fresh air, open views and a single dedicated stone can be surprisingly affecting. You leave not with a list of facts, but with an impression: of an island that remembers its people, of a landscape that accommodates both past and present, and of how easily personal stories can fade unless anchored in places like this.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Mindesten - Morten Madsen
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A modest memorial stone set in Samsø’s quiet countryside, offering a brief, reflective pause amid open fields, island sky and centuries of local history.
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Frederiks Plads
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Unmissable attractions to see
Samsø Labyrinten
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Stay by Stage
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Mårup Havn
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Issehoved
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Yduns Have ApS
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Samsø Rederi
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Besser Rev
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The Morgan Garage
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Stakladen Besser
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Sletterhage Fyr.
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Samsø Egnsarkiv
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Besser Udsigtstårn
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Tyskertårnet
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Kanonstilling
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Strand Sletterhage
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Essential places to dine
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Nordby 13
1.7 km
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Nordby Kro I/S
1.8 km
Cosy island inn on Samsø’s Nordby main street, blending seasonal Danish cuisine, homely rooms and a peaceful garden retreat in the heart of village life.
Restauranter I Nordby
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Authentic Danish cuisine in a warm, unpretentious setting with generous portions and genuine hospitality.
Harvesting, shop and cafe
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A cosy Samsø village café blending local produce, art and wine in a relaxed farm-shop setting on Maarup Hovedgade.
Skov Cafeen / Restaurant
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Smokehouse Langør
9.7 km
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Samsø Perlen
12.0 km
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søster sidevind
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Samsø Madsnedkeri
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Samsø Madhus
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Flinchs Hotel
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Carlo's Corner
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Den Gule Parasol
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Restaurant Heaven and Sea
17.0 km
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Samsø Smykker
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Smagen Af Øen
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Besser Living
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Langemarksgård
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P II Samsø, kunst - antik - design, Langgade 38, 8305 Samsø
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Store island oen.dk
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Samsø Grej
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Tøjhuset
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Imerco
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El-Salg Bissø ApS
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Buur - Items & Clothing - Coffee
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Ny Form Samsø
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SuperBrugsen
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Samsø Bryghus
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Ræven
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Garagen
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Vinkapellet Samsø
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Mejeriets Bar
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Umage Ølbar
26.3 km
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Stockfleths Østers & Bobbelbar
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Sir Henry Bodega
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Ebeltoft Strandbar
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Klub K
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Toldboden
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Den Skæve Bar
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Bar Pia
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Brewpub på Maltfabrikken
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
