The history of Frøbjerg Bavnehøj

Historical Significance

Frøbjerg Bavnehøj has been an important landmark for the local population for centuries. The name "Bavnehøj" originates from the time when beacons were lit on hilltops as a warning system against enemy attacks. When a fire was ignited here, the signal could quickly spread from hill to hill across great distances.

During the Napoleonic Wars and later in the 19th century, beacon fires continued to serve as a warning system, and Frøbjerg Bavnehøj remained a key part of Funen's defense mechanisms. Additionally, the site has long been a gathering place for national celebrations and Constitution Day meetings, where people came together to celebrate democracy and community.

The name Frøbjerg derives from the fertility gods Frey and Freya, and it is believed that in ancient times, the hill served as a cult site for them. Throughout the Middle Ages and up until the early 19th century, Frøbjerg Bavnehøj was part of a network of beacon hills where fires were lit, especially during wartime, to send signals and warnings over long distances.

• Ancient Times: The area around Frøbjerg was a sacred site where people gathered on the hill to worship the fertility gods Freya, Frey, or Frø – hence the name Frøbjerg.
• Middle Ages: Frøbjerg was part of a chain of beacon hills. The entire area was grass-covered and used for grazing.
• 1910: A group of citizens, led by J. Kyed, wanted to create a gathering place for Funen. "Mindepladsen" (The Memorial Square), which included both hills, was designed by one of the leading landscape architects of the time, E. Glæsel, who planted a variety of Danish trees and shrubs on the hills.
• 1913: "Mindepladsen" was inaugurated and has since been a popular site for celebrations, Constitution Day meetings, and more.
• 1920s: Gymnastics performances were held at Frøbjerg. A sports hall was built but burned down in 1959.
• 1941: During the occupation, a Constitution Day celebration was held at Frøbjerg, attended by an astonishing 12,000–14,000 guests – most arriving by bicycle!
• 1946: The area was acquired by the Bavnehøj Society.
• 1947: The entire Frøbjerg Banker area was protected to preserve it from construction, gravel extraction, and other disturbances.
• 1954: The Memorial Grove was inaugurated to honor the victims of the German occupation from what was then Funen Diocese.
• 1960: Actor Poul Reumert, together with the Royal Danish Theatre's summer tour, visited Frøbjerg Bavnehøj. He declared it:
• “Denmark's most beautiful open-air stage” …
• 1969: The Bavnehøj Society was dissolved, and the Danish Forest and Nature Agency took over the area.
• 1984: Frøbjerg Festspil performed open-air theater at the festival site for the first time.
• 2009: The amphitheater was inaugurated.

The Efforts of Bavnehøjselskabet and the Development of the Festival Grounds

In 1912, Bavnehøjselskabet was founded with the aim of making Frøbjerg a gathering place for the people of Funen. Inspired by Skamlingsbanken, a memorial and festival ground was established, which over the years has hosted large public meetings, Constitution Day celebrations, gymnastics displays, and sports events. A gymnastics hall was built in 1930 but was unfortunately lost in a fire in 1959.

The current festival grounds, still in use today, were expanded after World War II. In the 1950s, the Royal Danish Theatre performed here during their summer tours, and actor Poul Reumert described the site as “Denmark’s most beautiful open-air stage.”

Memorial Stones at Frøbjerg Bavnehøj

The area around Frøbjerg Bavnehøj contains several memorial stones that commemorate significant historical events and figures:

• Women’s suffrage – Constitution of 1915 (erected in 1918)
• Reunification (erected in 1922)
• 150th anniversary of the abolition of serfdom (erected in 1939)
• Memorial stone for Funen’s first elected bishop, A. J. Rued (erected in 1948)
• Stone for Bavnehøjselskabet’s founders, J. Kyed and J. J. Vest
• Memorial grove for the victims of the German occupation from Funen’s diocese (erected in 1954)
• 150th anniversary of the Constitution (erected in 1999)