the birthplace of Denmark

We took the train to Jelling today to see what is considered the birthplace of Denmark. Marianne and Gorm and Sussi met us there and we explored the historical site and the Viking museum, ending our afternoon with a picnic. On the way to and from Jelling, we had to transfer trains in Fredericia so we took the opportunity to spend some time at the outdoor play park close to the city's train station.

View of the old Jelling church from the southern burial mound.
Before this church was built around 1200, three wooden churches had been built on this site, the first one erected by King Harald Bluetooth. This marked the transition from paganism to Christianity in Scandinavia and is the reason for this place being named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Gorm, Dean and Freya
One of the two Runic stones. This one was
erected by Viking King Harald Bluetooth for his father Gorm the Old

The smaller of the two runic stones,
erected by Gorm the Old for his wife Thyra at her death.
Contains the oldest known record of the word "Danmark" in writing

Viking Queen Thyra, believed to have been buried in the other large mound
(but the tomb was found empty so no one knows for sure)

Freya and a replica of the runic stone outside the Viking museum

View from the northern burial mound where Gorm the Old was originally buried.
Harald Bluetooth later moved him into the church.

picnic time

falling in love with this little goat at Fredericia Legeparken (play park)
-there were also rabbits, horses, donkeys, and various birds

we always love a good zipline

tower and bridge at Legeparken

swans at Legeparken - it was a little unnerving how bold and unafraid of us they were