Overview:

: The Jelling Monuments, located in the town of Jelling in Denmark, are two 10th century burial mounds, an adjacent large runic stone, and a church that were all erected by Danish king Harald Gormson. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The large rune stone is the most famous of the monuments and bears inscriptions in Old Norse that are believed to refer to the conversion of the Danes to Christianity in the mid-10th century. This stone is one of the most famous archaeological artifacts in Denmark and is considered the national symbol of Denmark. The other two mounds are believed to have been the royal mounds of Harald Gormson’s sons, Sweyn and Gorm the Old. The church dates from the 12th century. The Jelling Monuments are of great historical significance to the Danes. They are seen as markers of the emergence of the Danish nation state and the beginning of the Christianization of Denmark. They are also viewed as a powerful symbol of Danish unity and identity. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Denmark
Prominent Features:

, are three runestones, two mounds and a church. The largest rune stone, known as the Jelling Stone, is considered to be the National Symbol of Denmark. It is notable for being the first stone to feature the depiction of Christ, with an inscription describing Dan King Gorm and his wife as the ones who “Journeyed to the gate of the Danes and Harald, of the Danes and his achievements". The two mounds are believed to be the sites of the tombs of the two rulers referenced in the inscription. The church is believed to have been built as a result of a claim from Harald Bluetooth that he had converted the Danes to Christianity. This claim has been partially supported by other rune inscriptions found nearby which indicate a belief in Christianity. The Jelling Monuments are considered to be remarkable examples of Viking art given their intricacy and detail, reflecting the culture and lifestyle of the Vikings. The National Symbol of Denmark is a great example of the historian's ability to interpret the evidence of the past through text, art, and artifacts. The National Symbol of Denmark also captures the cultural identity that remains in Denmark today, with the inscription describing Gorm and Harald as the ones to introduce Christianity to the Danish people. The importance of these monuments is seen in the fact that they became one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scandinavia when it was inscribed in 1994. This national monument of Denmark portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Jelling Monuments are located in a small village in Jutland, Denmark. They were originally constructed in the 10th century by King Gorm of Denmark as a way of commemorating his parents and ancestors. The two sets of stones stand on either side of the burial mounds of Gorm and his wife, Thyra, and mark the beginning of the Christianization of Denmark. The Jelling Monuments are the largest and best-preserved Viking monument in the world, and contain valuable insight into the religious and political beliefs of the Viking Age. The monument consists of two large stone slabs bearing intricate carvings and rune inscriptions. The western stone slab, constructed by King Gorm, contains a runic inscription that reads: ‘Harrold King (Konu) of the Danes' (Harrold Konu Danoero). The inscription is among the earliest written monuments of Viking history, and is traceable to the early 10th century. The other stone slab is believed to have been constructed by King Harald Bluetooth, son of Gorm, and contains a Runic inscription which reads ‘Harrold Bluetooth's monument made by Harrold's son Gorm.’ This inscription further confirms the Christianization of Denmark, as the message was written in Latin, a language that would not have been used by the Vikings. The Jelling Monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remain an important memorial to the Viking Age in Denmark. The stones are regularly visited by tourists, and each year the village of Jelling celebrates the Viking King Harrold Bluetooth’s Christianization of Denmark. You must visit one of these historical places in Denmark on your Denmark tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Jelling Monuments are two large stone monuments located in Jelling, in the Danish region of Jutland. 2. The larger of the two monuments, known as the ‘Tyde-Jelling’ or ‘Jelling 1’, is believed to have been erected by King Harald Bluetooth in the late 10th century. 3. The smaller runestone, known as the ‘Kongshøj’ or ‘Jelling 2’, is thought to have been raised by King Harald’s son, Canute the Great, around the year 1000. 4. The mould for the larger monument is the oldest known stone mould in Denmark, and is thought to have been used to form both Tyde-Jelling and Kongshøj. 5. The runestones tell the history of Denmark, and provide information about the conversion of Denmark to Christianity. 6. The stone monuments are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 7. The Jelling Monument is considered to be the birthplace of the Danish nation. Visit one of the famous monuments of Denmark with your friends and family.