Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There: Drivers can easily find Jelling, just 10 minutes off the
main Vejle-Billund road (see “Route Tips for Drivers” on here ). Train travel-
ers coming from Copenhagen or Aarhus must change in Vejle, which is con-
nected to Jelling by hourly trains (direction: Herning) and bus #211.
Self-Guided Walk
Denmark is proud of being Europe's oldest monarchy and of the fact that
Queen Margrethe II, the country's current ruler, can trace her lineage back
1,300 years to this sacred place.
• Begin your visit at the...
Kongernes Jelling Museum: Inside this modern, light-filled building
you'll find informative exhibits, historical models of the area, and replicas of
the rune stones. Kids will love the room in the back on the ground level where
they can write their name in the runic alphabet—and the gift shop bristling
with wooden swords and Viking garb (free, June-Aug Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00,
Sept-May Tue-Sun 12:00-16:00, closed between Christmas and New Year's
and on Mon year-round, café, tel. 75 87 23 50, www.kongernesjelling.dk ).
• Cross the street and walk through the graveyard to examine the actual...
Rune Stones: The stones stand just south of the church. The modern
bronze-and-glass structure is designed to protect the stones from the elements
while allowing easy viewing.
The smaller stone was erected by King Gorm the Old (a.k.a. Gorm the
Sleepy), who ruled Denmark for 40 years in the ninth century. You probably
don't read runic so I'll translate: “King Gorm made this monument in memory
of Thyra, his wife, Denmark's salvation.” These are the oldest recorded words
of a Danish king, and the first time that the name Denmark is used to describe
a country and not just the region.
The larger stone was erected by Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, to honor
his parents, commemorate the conquering of Denmark and Norway, and mark
the conversion of the Danes to Christianity. (Bluetooth technology—which
transmits electronic data wirelessly—takes its name from Harald, who created
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