Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church

Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church

The Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church are located in eastern Jutland, Denmark. Jelling is the birthplace of the Danish Kingdom. This site preserves historical relics such as a church, tombs, and runestones engraved with runes. The church was built around the year 1100 and stands between two massive burial mounds. Inside the modest stone church, there are paintings from the early 12th century; beneath the nave lies a spacious burial chamber where parts of a middle-aged male skeleton and fragments of royal attire were unearthed.

It is believed that this may be the tomb of King Gorm the Old. The two conical, massive burial mounds are royal tombs—the one to the north was built around the year 958 and contains a large treasure chamber with many precious artworks. The remains of the king and queen were once placed here before being moved to the church. In front of the church stands a runestone, which is the oldest example of Danish written art. Among them, the Gorm Stone is 1.4 meters high, about 1 meter wide, and 0.5 meters thick; the Harald Stone is 2.4 meters high and 2.9 meters wide, making it the largest runestone in Scandinavia, featuring the oldest depiction of Jesus.

The burial mounds and an ancient runestone at Jelling are typical examples of pagan culture in Nordic heritage, while the other runestones and the church illustrate the gradual Christianization of the Danes by the mid-10th century.

Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church

Must-visit reason: The oldest example of Danish written art

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Denmark[Denmark]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Region of Southern Denmark [Region of Southern Denmark]

City where the attraction is located: Vejle [Vejle ]