Sankelmark Lake

The 1.6 km long and 500 m wide Sankelmark Lake is located in northern South Schleswig. In 1864, this beautiful lake was the setting for a small battle against Austrian troops, which the Danish soldiers lost badly. The Danish troops were retreating from their positions in Dannevirke, about 30 km south of there, when they were attacked by Austrian artillery. After a few hours, 431 Austrian and 952 Danish soldiers had lost their lives. Today, memorials to the Danish, Prussian and Austrian dead can be found near Sankelmark Lake.