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Historic site · Billund, Dinamarca do Sul
Kongernes Jelling
In Jelling, 30 km from Billund, the two 10th-century rune stones of Gorm the Old and Haroldo Dente-Azul, the two burial mounds and the white church. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a visitor center.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Kongernes Jelling
Jelling was the seat of the first kings of a unified Denmark in the 10th century. King Gorm the Old raised a rune stone there in memory of his wife, Queen Thyra. Around 965 his son Haroldo Dente-Azul ordered a larger stone to be carved in memory of his parents, declaring that he had conquered all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian. On one face is the oldest image of Christ in Scandinavia, and the inscription is considered the country's baptism certificate.
The two stones stand beside the wall of Jelling church, a small white stone church from the 12th century, built on the site of earlier wooden churches. To the north and south rise two large burial mounds, and recent excavations revealed the outlines of a huge ship of stones and a palisade that surrounded the area, now marked on the grass with stones and white posts. UNESCO inscribed the site in 1994.
In front, the visitor center Kongernes Jelling, "the Jelling of the kings", tells the story of the Viking rulers and the conversion to Christianity, with interactive exhibits and colorful replicas of the stones, which were painted in the period. The original stones are kept protected in glass cases.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1.5 to 2 hours for the site and visitor center.
Best time
Any time of year; the lawn and mounds are open, and the visitor center operates year-round with reduced hours in winter. Check before you go. On clear days, climb the north mound to see the palisade's outline on the ground.
How to get there
Jelling is about 30 km east of Billund and 10 km northwest of Vejle. There is a local train from Vejle to Jelling in about 15 minutes; the station is a 5-minute walk from the site. From Billund, travel by car or by bus via Vejle.
Tip
Start at the visitor center to understand what you'll see outside, then climb the mounds. The colorful replicas show how the stones were painted.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kongernes Jelling
Why are the Jelling stones important?
The stone of Haroldo Dente-Azul, dating from around 965, records the unification of Denmark and the conversion to Christianity. It is called the country's baptismal certificate.
Are the stones original?
Yes, the two original stones remain in place, beside the church, protected by display cases. The visitor centre has painted replicas.
How do you get to Jelling?
By local train from Vejle, in about 15 minutes, or by car—it's about 30 km from Billund.