Tombs and regicide
On Fyn you can get close to the life of the Vikings - both before and after death. Visit Ladby and enter the ship grave of a Viking king. The grave is also Denmark's oldest preserved royal tomb. Continue to Odense and explore the traces and finds from one of the five ring forts, which are tangible evidence of Denmark's unification under Harald Bluetooth. And watch the Viking Age die out with the fall of the last Viking king.
The world of the Ladby King
Traditionally, the Danish royal family line starts with Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth. But there have been kings in Denmark before them. This is shown by the large halls and buildings that archaeologists have found around the country. For example, at Lejre, which was a centre of power both before and well into the Viking Age. At Erritsø in Jutland. And in Ladby on Fyn, where a rich and powerful man was laid to rest in Denmark's only known ship grave. It happened in the year 925, shortly before Gorm the Old sat on the throne.
Archaeological research in recent years has shown that the man buried in the Viking ship was not just a chieftain, but a king. This is the only place in the world where you can step directly into the magical darkness of a Viking king's burial mound. Once your eyes adjust to the dim light, the ship grave is revealed. Right on the spot where the burial took place 1100 years ago. You are standing in the centre of Denmark's oldest royal tomb.
Photo:Vikingemuseet Ladby
The ship of death sails south
On his journey to the Viking world of gods and the dead, the king was given 11 horses, 4 dogs, weapons, gold-woven clothing, food, splendid eating and cooking utensils and other precious grave goods. For example, a noble silver ruler's staff. As the Vikingemuseum Ladby writes: ‘The anchor is in place in the prow, the death ship is sailing south, and the horse skeletons are still there, just as they were when the warm horse carcasses were thrown into the ship 1100 years ago’.
The museum is in a rapid development
But it's already a must-see if you're interested in the Viking world. In addition to the ship's grave and the exhibited grave finds, you can meet volunteer interpreters and get closer to the world of the Ladby King. You can also see the ship in which the king was buried - albeit in a reconstructed version. The ship was almost 22 metres long and about 3 metres wide. These are near ideal dimensions for a warship from the late Viking Age. They were about 7 times as long as they were wide.
Photo:Vikingemuseet Ladby
See the world of the Ladby King from above - on Munkebo Bakke
On your way to or from the Ladby Vikingemuseet Ladby, you almost must stop by Munkebo Bakke (see map). From the top of the hill, you have a view of the land of the Ladby King. From here, the Vikings could keep an eye on foreign ships from afar. This is why the site was of great military strategic importance.
A classic Viking Hall
Up on the hill you can see post impressions from two halls. One is from the Iron Age. The other was a classic Viking Hall measuring 8 by 26 metres. Now look southwards over Kertinge Nor. A little to the left, where the north narrows, the Vikings built a pile barrier to make it difficult for foreign ships to enter the north. In all likelihood, the nor was a winter camp for a large Viking fleet. The Ladby King was a significant power factor in the Viking Age.
Odense's hidden ring fortress is the best preserved
Around the year 700 onwards, something new appears in the Danes' landscape. This is when urbanisation begins - and during these years, enterprising people also lay the foundation stones that later led to the city of Odense.
Urbanisation is a result of the centralisation of power that took place during the Viking Age. Labour became specialized. Trade expanded. New technologies emerged - such as the watermill. Agriculture became more efficient, more land could be cultivated, more mouths could be fed. Social complexity increased, and to crown it all, Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth established a new royal dynasty.
Harald cemented his power with huge building projects
To show his power and cement his position, Harald Bluetooth launched a series of massive building projects. The great ring forts were a central aspect of this endeavour. One of these monumental structures with its strict geometric and symmetrical shapes landed like a UFO on the site we know today as Nonnebakken in Odense - just south of Odense Å.
The Ringborgen makes the central power's grip on the country visible and shows Harald's financial and military strength. The Ringborgen on Nonnebakken was long forgotten and overlooked. A nunnery occupied the area as early as 1100. Hence the name. In the early 1900s, large parts of the rampart were dug away. And the city has grown around and over the complex. However, archaeological excavations and georadar surveys show that large parts of the original ramparts are well preserved below the surface.
UNESCO World Heritage
Nonnebakken and the other 4 ring forts, Borgring, Aggersborg, Fyrkat and Trelleborg, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
©UNESCOPhoto:UNESCO - the United Nations Educationa, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The violent death of the last Viking king
We can rightly put the Viking Age to rest here in Odense. Namely with the killing of Knud IV. He was the last Danish king who tried to reconquer England and re-establish the North Sea Empire. As a young man, he was apprenticed as a warrior king. And even before he became king, he tried to conquer England. He assembled a large fleet of perhaps 200 ships. It had been a formidable army at the beginning of the Viking Age, but by the middle of the 11th century, the English had learnt from their experience and Knud was beaten. That's why he went all in when he wanted to set off again in 1085/86. According to one source, he mobilised up to a thousand ships. They gathered in the Limfjord and were ready for a raid. Furthermore, he could perhaps draw on another 600 ships via his father-in-law in Flanders
Hunted, captured, killed
Knud was held up by unrest on the southern border. Therefore, the fleet never left. And instead of gaining wealth and fame in England, Knud had a rebellion against him. He was chased down through Jutland and ended up at the royal court in Odense. Here he thought he was safe. But the rebellion could not be put down, and eventually Knud fled into Albani Kirke, where he was killed.
From Knud IV to Knud the Holy
Rumours of miracles at Knud's grave and skillful political legwork on the part of the royal power led to Knud being named a saint as early as 1100. The canonisation strengthened the alliance between church and king by identifying a direct link between king and God. This benefited both the Catholic Church and the royal power itself.
The canonisation of Knud also became a growth factor for Odense. People flocked to the city in large numbers. This created growth and helped make Odense one of the most prominent cities of the Middle Ages.
Find your way to your Viking experiences
Read more and find your way to Tid - Museum for Odense, Skt. Knuds Kirke and Vikingemuseet Ladby.
Photo:VisitFyn
Start your tour in Odins Vi at TID
Odense is the city of the Vikings. This is where Harald Bluetooth built a ring fortress, which at the time was the largest building on Fyn. Today, the city has grown over the castle. Start your tour at TID museum before following in the footsteps of the Vikings, seeing the remains of the ring fortress and visiting the last Viking king in the cathedral.
Meet the last Viking king
Knud IV was a warrior king with good strategic sense. He had married into a powerful alliance in Flanders and in 1085 and 1086 he was ready to roll out his grand masterplan to conquer England. But something went wrong. And Knud ended his days in front of the altar in Albani Kirke, killed by war-weary peasants.
Step into Denmark's only ship grave
Ladby is the only place in the world where you can step directly into the burial mound of the Ladby King. Here you stand by the ship where a powerful king was buried in his warship 1100 years ago. Denmark's oldest royal tomb is a must-see for anyone interested in the Viking world.
Continue on the Viking Route to Jutland and Zealand
Experience Harald Bluetooth's impressive Ravning Bridge and Monument Square in Jelling, which bear witness to his greatness - and fall. The construction required blood, sweat and timber and cost him his throne. Travel on to Zealand, where five original Viking ships and a reconstructed Viking hall tell the story of the Vikings who connected Scandinavia to the world.
Eat like a Viking
Three nature experiences on your way round
Kertinge Nor
Close to the Ladby ship
Åstien hiking trail
Odense
Follow the traces of the Vikings
Take a Viking journey across Denmark. From Jutland to Fyn to Zealand.
UNESCO Verdensarv
Nonnebakken og de øvrige 4 ringborge, Borgring, Aggersborg, Fyrkat og Trelleborg, blev optaget på UNESCO's verdenskulturarvsliste i 2023. Vil du besøge borgen på Nonnebakken, så start på TID - Museum for Odense - og se udstillingen, før du følger vikingernes spor ud i byen.
