Holger the Dane
- Statue from 1907
- The statue you can find beneath Kronborg is a casting of the original bronze statue made by the sculptor H. P. Pedersen-Dan in 1907.
- The legend
- The myth of Holger Danske can be traced back to the French epic poem, La Chanson de Roland, from 1060.
Holger the Dane rests in the casemates, silent and still like a statue. According to legend, this mighty warrior will awaken when Denmark is in its darkest hour. Until then, he remains peacefully asleep. Here, you can learn about the story behind this iconic figure.
The Danish Giant
But is he even danish?
Holger the Dane is a legendary figure rooted in European history and folklore. Originally, he appears in medieval French legends as Ogier the Dane, a knight at Charlemagne’s court.
Read more about the historical Holger
Holger Danske
The tale of a hero
Peter Ilsted, H.C. Andersen
Holger is coming to Denmark
Although the tales of Holger the Dane date back to the Middle Ages, it was H.C. Andersen who, in the mid-19th century, made the legendary hero a central figure in Danish culture. In his fairy tale from 1846, Andersen placed Holger Danske in the casemates beneath Kronborg Castle and cast him as the protector of Denmark, who would awaken to defend the fatherland if it were ever in danger. H.C. Andersen's version gave the legend new strength and turned Holger the Dane into the powerful symbol we recognize today.
Peter Ilsted, H.C. Andersen
Resistance and war
A symbol is brought to life
During World War II, one of the largest groups of the resistance movement was inspired by the strong symbolic significance of Holger, adopting the name Holger Danske. The group fought fiercely against the German occupation, risking their lives to protect the country, Danish values, and innocent lives.
Visit the Freedom Museum and learn more about the Danish resistance movement
Holger today
The casting underground
The large statue of Holger the Dane in the casemates is a cast of the original bronze statue made by the Danish sculptor H. P. Pedersen-Dan in 1907. The cast of the statue of Holger the Dane was first made in plaster, but since the humidity in the casemates is very high, the plaster could not withstand it. The statue of Holger the Dane that you visit down in the casemates today was therefore made of concrete in 1985.
