Experiences with Vikings in Jelling

From royal seat to UNESCO World Heritage Site

More than 1,000 years ago, Jelling was at the centre of some of the most significant changes in Danish history. Here, Gorm the Old raised a runestone in memory of Queen Thyra. Later, Harald Bluetooth erected his larger runestone, telling the story of how he united the kingdom and converted the Danes to Christianity.

Around the stones, a monumental complex was built, featuring burial mounds, a church, an enormous stone ship setting and a palisade enclosing an area the size of many football pitches. Today, the Jelling Monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Three places that bring you closer to the Vikings

Start at the Jelling Monuments. Walk among the runestones and explore the burial mounds while discovering traces of the monumental complex.

Then continue your visit at Kongernes Jelling. Here, the stories of the kings, runes and Viking Age come to life through interactive experiences.

Follow in Harald Bluetooth's footsteps to Ravning Bridge. Around the year 980, Harald Bluetooth had an enormous bridge built across the Vejle River Valley. Today, you can see reconstructions of the bridgeheads at the archaeological site.

The Jelling monuments, people look at the stones

The Jelling Monuments (UNESCO)

In the tenth century, King Harald Bluetooth had Denmark's name engraved on a runestone in Jelling and erected two large mounds. The Jelling monuments have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1994.

Home of the viking kings in Jelling - the road to Valhalla

Kongernes Jelling – home of the Viking kings

The runes tell us that it was in the Viking Age in Jelling that Denmark got its name. King Gorm wrote it on his runestone, and we have used it ever since.

Hikers standing on Ravningbroen looking out over Vejle’s river valleys

The Ravning Bridge

Harald Bluetooth had a mighty bridge built over the Vejle River Valley around the year 980. At the discovery site in Ravning Enge, you can see a reconstruction of two bridgeheads.

Did you know that Bluetooth technology was named after Harald Bluetooth?

Make a full day of your Viking adventure

Stay a little longer in Jelling. After exploring the monuments, enjoy a meal overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site, take a walk through the area or delve deeper into history along one of the area's trails.

Jelling monument area with the palisades at sunset

Photo: Kongernes Jelling

Guide to Jelling

Discover Jelling – a town centre with World Heritage, cultural history and nature close by. Here, you can explore the Jelling monuments, feel the presence of history and enjoy the green surroundings around the town.

A family walks in the monument area in Jelling by the palisades

A journey through time and taste in the Vejle area

Join us on a journey through time and taste in the Vejle area. Here, we present our suggestion for a perfect day in Vejle for those of you who love history, culture, and good food.