Jelling
Denmark · Southern Denmark · 70 m
Description
Two burial mounds the size of small hills stand either side of a whitewashed church at Jelling, and between them are the two stones that make this a national origin story. The smaller was raised by Gorm the Old for his wife, the larger by their son Harald Bluetooth around 965, and its inscription says he won all Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian. It is the first written use of the country's name. Excavation later found a palisade enclosing thirteen hectares and the outline of a stone ship longer than any other known.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Jelling runestones (UNESCO World Heritage)
- The two royal burial mounds
- Kongernes Jelling museum
- Vejle and the Fjordenhus on the harbour(Day trip)
- Jelling church and its wall paintings
- Outline of the Viking palisade in white concrete
- Munkebjerg forest above Vejle Fjord(Day trip)
- Stone ship marked out across the site
- View over the monument from the north mound
- Ravning Enge Viking bridge site(Day trip)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Jelling