Image Copyright: Verlag Temmen

Bornhöved was – as detected by archaeologists – an important intersection of overland routes in the Bronze Age already. So a good strategic location in regards to traffic though. Beneficial for trade even then. Unfortunately beneficial also for marching troops not always with a peaceful purpose. Later it came to several military confrontations near Bornhöved. That can be read in the village on a memorial stone.
The, in 1927, put up »Sventana stone« on the Adolfplatz remembers the victory of the Slavic Obotrites who were in federation with Charlemagne over the North Elbingen Saxons in the year 798.
The 1227 battle of Bornhöved is in every Schleswig Holstein history book. Holsteiner, Dithmarscher and Lübecker under the guidance of Earl Adolf IV of Holstein (from the Schaumburg dynasty) defeated the troops of the Danish King Waldemar II. Whereby (at least momentarily) the Danish reign over Holstein ended. This battle is also commemorated on the Adolfplatz in Bornhöved.