Background

Mindesten for Røde Kors

A quiet memorial to the world's first Red Cross observers amid Denmark's most historic battlefield.

A solemn memorial stone at Dybbøl Banke honoring Louis Appia and Charles van de Velde, the world's first Red Cross observers who documented the 1864 Danish-Prussian War. Located within the historic battlefield landscape near Sønderborg, this modest but significant monument commemorates the humanitarian pioneers who witnessed one of Denmark's most pivotal military conflicts and helped establish international humanitarian principles.

A brief summary to Mindesten for Røde Kors

  • Dybbøl Banke 22, Sønderborg, 6400, DK
  • Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit during the Historiecenter's open season (April through October) to fully experience the surrounding battlefield landscape and exhibitions, which provide essential context for understanding the memorial's significance.
  • Combine your visit with the nearby Dybbøl Mølle and Historiecenter Dybbøl Banke to gain a comprehensive understanding of the 1864 war and its humanitarian dimensions.
  • The memorial is freely accessible year-round as part of the outdoor battlefield landscape, making it ideal for self-guided exploration during winter months when the visitor center is closed.
  • Bring a camera to document the stone and its surroundings; the battlefield landscape offers numerous vantage points for understanding the military geography of the 1864 conflict.
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Getting There

  • Car from Sønderborg town center

    Drive approximately 5 kilometers south from Sønderborg town center toward Dybbøl Banke. Follow signs for Historiecenter Dybbøl Banke or Dybbøl Mølle. Travel time is approximately 10–15 minutes. Free parking is available at the Historiecenter and surrounding battlefield area. The memorial stone is accessible from the main parking facilities.

  • Bus from Sønderborg

    Local bus services operate from Sønderborg town center to Dybbøl Banke, with journey times of 15–25 minutes depending on route and stops. Service frequency varies seasonally, with reduced schedules during winter months. Check local transport operator schedules in advance. The memorial is a short walk from the main bus stop near Historiecenter Dybbøl Banke.

  • Bicycle from Sønderborg

    Cycle approximately 5 kilometers south from Sønderborg town center along regional cycling routes toward Dybbøl Banke. Journey time is approximately 15–20 minutes on flat terrain. The area is well-served by Danish cycling infrastructure. Bicycle parking is available at the Historiecenter and throughout the battlefield site.

  • Walking from nearby attractions

    The memorial stone is located within the Dybbøl Banke historical site. If visiting the Historiecenter or Dybbøl Mølle, the stone is accessible via marked walking paths throughout the battlefield landscape. Walking between major attractions on the site typically takes 10–30 minutes depending on your starting point and chosen route.

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Pioneers of International Humanitarian Response

The memorial stone at Dybbøl Banke stands as a tribute to Louis Appia and Charles van de Velde, two Swiss observers who made history during the 1864 war between Denmark and the German states of Prussia and Austria. These men were the world's first Red Cross observers, documenting the conflict and bearing witness to the human cost of war. Their presence at Dybbøl marked a turning point in how the international community would approach armed conflict, establishing principles of neutral humanitarian observation that would shape modern conflict response for generations to come.

The 1864 War and Dybbøl's Significance

Dybbøl Banke itself was the site of one of Denmark's most decisive military defeats. On April 18, 1864, Prussian forces stormed the Danish defensive positions in a brutal assault that would ultimately lead to Denmark's loss of approximately 40 percent of its territory, including the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The battle was characterized by intense bombardment and close combat, resulting in thousands of casualties. The wounded soldiers who survived faced years of physical and psychological recovery, their struggles becoming part of Denmark's collective memory of this catastrophic conflict.

A Monument Within a Living Historical Landscape

The memorial stone is situated within Dybbøl Banke, a landscape transformed into a comprehensive historical site. The area contains reconstructed military fortifications, including the famous Dybbøl Mølle (mill), which stands as one of Denmark's most iconic national symbols. The Historiecenter Dybbøl Banke, opened in 1992, provides immersive exhibitions, films, and reconstructed soldier barracks that bring the 1864 conflict to life. Walking among these monuments and installations, visitors encounter multiple layers of historical narrative—from the original Danish skanser (fortifications) built in 1861–1862 to the Prussian defensive works constructed after their victory in 1865–1871.

Remembering Humanitarian Values Amid Conflict

While the battlefield itself speaks to the devastation of war, the memorial to Appia and van de Velde represents something different: the emergence of organized compassion and neutral observation during armed conflict. Their work laid the foundation for the International Committee of the Red Cross and established the principle that humanitarian workers could operate independently of military objectives. This stone, modest in appearance but profound in meaning, reminds visitors that even in humanity's darkest moments, individuals can choose to document, witness, and advocate for the protection of the wounded and vulnerable.

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