Jelling

12 km/7 mi northwest of Vejle, and best reached by way of the beautiful road through the Grejsdal (wooded slopes, many viewpoints), lies Jelling, which was the political center of the region about the year 1000. The two 21m and 24m/70ft and 80ft high burial mounds by the roadside are the oldest royal graves in Denmark, dating from about 935-50. After excavations in 1941-2 and 1978 it was established that the northernmost grave held the remains of King Gorm, who died ca. 940, and of his wife Thyra.