Battle of Stellau

Duke Valdemar of Schleswig, supporting the interests of his brother, the Danish King, defeated Adolf and his forces from Holstein.

After Adolf III of Holstein returned to Europe from the Third Crusade in 1197, a disagreement between him and the Danish King Canute VI broke out on the island of Rügen in 1200, followed by an armed conflict in Dithmarschen.

Duke Valdemar of Schleswig ordered his army to prepare for war and side with Denmark, ruled by his brother.

After this battle, Valdemar acquired the nicknamed "the Conqueror," and maintained his hegemony over the north German coast, including Holstein.

A Romanesque stone church consecrated in 1230 by Archbishop Gebhard II of Bremen now marks the historic battle site in Stellau.