Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and made the Danes Christians.' A replica of the stone (in full colour, as the original would
once have appeared) is at Kongernes Jelling, opposite the church.
Harald Bluetooth did, in fact, succeed in routing the Swedes from Denmark and began
the peaceful conversion of the Danish people from the pagan religion celebrated by his
father to Christianity.
Two large
burial mounds
flank Jelling Kirke. The barrow to the north was long be-
lieved to contain the bones of Gorm and his queen, Thyra, but when it was excavated in
1820 no human remains were found. The southern mound was excavated in 1861 but,
again, no mortal remains unearthed.
In the 1970s archaeologists dug beneath Jelling Kirke itself and hit pay dirt. They found
the remains of three earlier wooden churches; the oldest is thought to have been erected by
Harald Bluetooth. A burial chamber was also unearthed and human bones and gold jew-
ellery were discovered. Archaeologists now believe that the remains are those of Gorm,
who had originally been buried in the northern mound but was later reinterred by his son.
Presumably Harald Bluetooth, out of respect, moved his parents' remains from pagan soil
to a place of honour within the church. The bones of Queen Thyra have yet to be found.
Archaeological investigations in the area are ongoing. Read about them online (
ht-
tp://jelling.natmus.dk
), or learn more at Kongernes Jelling.
Kongernes Jelling
MUSEUM
(
http://natmus.dk/en/royal-jelling
;
Gormsgade 23)
In summer 2015, a newly expanded visitors centre will open opposite the church. Expect
high-quality interactive exhibitions: before its expansion, Kongernes Jelling provided en-
thralling insight into the town's monuments and their importance to Danish royal history.
The museum is part of the National Museum organisation; check the website for opening
hours.
Eating
Sleeping options are best in nearby Givskud or Billund (about 20km west). There's a su-
permarket and a bakery for picnic supplies.
Byens Café
CAFE
