Harald Hildetands Høj - a long barrow in Gl. Lejre
Harald Hildetands Høj in Gl. Lejre, near Roskilde on the island of Zealand west of Copenhagen, brings together a Stone Age burial monument and legends of Denmark’s early kings. The grass-covered long barrow dates to around 3500 BC, while its name recalls the much later legend of King Harald Hildetand.
An ancient monument with a legendary king’s name
Harald Hildetands Høj stands at the northern approach to Gl. Lejre. This grass-covered long barrow takes its name from a legend about Lejre’s kings, but the tomb itself dates to the Neolithic period, around 3500 BC. It predates Lejre’s royal halls and the Viking Age by several thousand years.
The legend of Harald Hildetand
According to legend, Harald Hildetand, the last king of the Skjoldungs, a legendary Danish royal dynasty, was buried at Lejre. His story involves Odin, a god in Norse mythology, and the Battle of Bråvalla. The mound’s name appears in Ole Worm’s depiction of Lejre from 1643. It reflects later beliefs about the site rather than evidence of a royal burial.
Traces of the Stone Age
Large stones once surrounded the mound and formed its burial chamber. Some were later removed for building work, and the monument has been restored. Its present appearance is therefore not an unchanged survival from the Stone Age.
Visiting the mound
The mound lies west of the road into Gl. Lejre from Gevninge. A visit can be combined with a walk to the nearby ship-shaped stone monuments and the marked outlines of former royal halls. The Danish Nature Agency recommends parking at Lejre Museum at Hestebjerggård. Follow marked roads and paths and observe local signs.
Facilities
- Information display
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