Kongernes Jelling

About the museum

Kongernes Jelling lies right next to the Jelling Monuments, which in 1994 became the first site in Denmark to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Viking Age ensemble includes the two runestones, the two large burial mounds, the stone church from around 1100, as well as the huge ship setting and the palisade discovered in 2012, which were included in the World Heritage listing in 2019. On the smaller stone, which Gorm the Old had erected around 950 for Queen Thyra, the name Denmark appears for the first time in the country; the large stone of Harald Bluetooth proclaims the Christianization of the Danes.

The visitor center opened in 2000; the building is by WOHLERT Arkitekter. Since January 1, 2007, the Nationalmuseet has operated the site as one of its visitor locations. Today it is designed as an interactive experience center, where visitors get hands-on at orange stations, retrace a journey to Valhalla and hear about the Norse gods at the foot of the world tree Yggdrasil. From the roof terrace, telescopes show how the area with palisade and church looked in earlier times.

On display in the building are finds from Jelling such as the famous Jelling cup from the north mound and remains of the original palisade timber. The exhibition is complemented by the crocheted row of kings with 54 Danish monarchs. The monument grounds outside are freely accessible, the runestones stand in illuminated display cases and can be viewed around the clock.

Highlights

• The two Jelling Stones – Denmark's "baptismal and birth certificate" – in illuminated display cases
• North and south mounds, Jelling Kirke, ship setting and marked palisade (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Interactive experience center on the Viking Age and Norse mythology
• Jelling cup and original palisade timber
• Roof terrace with time-travel telescopes over the monument grounds
• Mythological playground with the Midgard Serpent and Fenrir wolf

Permanent exhibitions

• Oplev vikingernes verden – Interactive exhibition about Gorm, Thyra and Harald Bluetooth, everyday Viking life, the Norse gods and the Christianization of Denmark.
• Den hæklede kongerække – 54 crocheted miniature figures of all Danish monarchs from Gorm the Old to Frederik X tell a thousand years of royal history with a wink.
• Monumentområdet – Freely accessible World Heritage area with runestones, burial mounds, church, ship setting and marked palisade, including the floor plans of the longhouses.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Nationalmuseet

Director

Morten Teilmann-Jørgensen

Admission & discounts

The admission price of DKK 120 applies in the high season from May 1 to October 31; from November to April, admission costs DKK 60. Tickets are valid for one year from purchase and can be converted into an annual pass on the day of the visit (within 24 hours, on site only). Café, museum shop and monument grounds are accessible without a ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire museum is accessible by wheelchair and walker; a wheelchair can be borrowed on site. Service dogs are welcome, other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The exhibition is designed for children and adults; at orange stations you press, turn and push. The app game "MuseumsMysteriet" (Useeum app, DKK 45 per device, approx. 45 minutes) is a treasure hunt for 6- to 12-year-olds. Outside, a mythological playground invites romping. Family programs are offered during school holidays. Strollers must stay outside or in the foyer, small strollers are allowed.

Getting there & parking

GPS address for drivers: Kollegievej 22, 7300 Jelling; for buses: Herningvej 3A. The main entrance is on Vestergade. The museum is on the Hærvejsruten (national bike route 3) and the Middelalderruten (bike route 35); air pump and repair kit are lent free of charge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Café in the foyer with coffee, cake, salads, sandwiches and Gorm's coarse bread rolls; in high season (Easter to New Year) from 11:00 until one hour before museum closing, in winter only during school holidays. Coat check in the basement, large backpacks by arrangement. Free Wi-Fi "Natmus_Guest". Café and shop without admission. Covered picnic house (currently unusable because of renovation) as well as tables and benches on the monument grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Meeting rooms with AV equipment for half-day and full-day conferences including catering and access to the exhibitions, can be supplemented with Viking-themed team activities; evening events for groups on request.

Plan your visit