Vikings in Fjordlandet - ships, legends and traces in the landscape
Legendary kings, silver treasures and ships from distant shores: discover the Vikings in Roskilde, Lejre and Frederikssund west of Copenhagen on the Danish island of Zealand. Walk among ancient stones and great halls, meet a famous monster and explore a world of craft, kings and adventure.
Fjordlandet's Vikings were part of a wider Nordic world
The Nordic world had different borders in the Viking Age, and parts of what is now Sweden belonged to the Danish kingdom. Ships built in Norway and Ireland found their way to Roskilde Fjord. Stories of Lejre's legendary kings were later written down in Iceland. Here on Zealand, the Danish island that is also home to Copenhagen, traces of that wider world come together. At the museums, you can follow the journeys of both the ships and the stories that crossed the sea.
Roskilde Fjord was a route to the wider world
Imagine the fjord filled with ships carrying goods, people and news. In the Viking Age and early Middle Ages, much trade and travel took place by sea. The fjord connected Roskilde with the world beyond. Follow Fjordstien, the walking and cycling trail along the water, and look out over narrow channels and wide stretches of open fjord. These were the waters the crews had to navigate.
Lejre was a centre of power before the Viking Age
Large halls were being built in Lejre as early as around AD 500. Over several centuries, new halls replaced the old ones and left their mark on the landscape. In Gl. Lejre, meaning Old Lejre, you can see their outlines marked on the ground and get a sense of their scale. Stand in the middle of one and imagine a roof, walls and a hall full of people around you.
Did Lejre's first king arrive by ship as a child?
According to legend, Odin sent a little boy by ship to the people of Lejre. The boy became King Skjold, ancestor of the Skjoldung dynasty, whose legendary kings include Roar and Rolf Krake. Their story still shapes the region today: Skjoldungernes Land National Park is named after them. Lace up your walking shoes and explore the landscape that carries their name.
Beowulf, Grendel and the mighty halls of Lejre
King Roar has a problem: the monster Grendel is terrorising his hall and devouring his warriors. Luckily, the hero Beowulf comes to the rescue. The famous Old English epic is linked to Lejre's legendary kings and their magnificent world. Walk among the hall outlines at Gl. Lejre, or step inside the King's Hall at Sagnlandet Lejre (Land of Legends), an open-air centre bringing Denmark's past to life. Imagine the feast before Grendel came knocking.
From Viking Age Lejre to outer space
The small silver figure Odin from Lejre was found in 2009. In 2023, Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen took a copy to the International Space Station. It travelled as a representative of Danish cultural heritage and a symbol of the search for new knowledge. Even the mission's name, Huginn, came from Odin's raven, who flew out to gather knowledge of the world. A tiny figure with quite a travel story.
A ship of stone for the final journey
In the landscape at Gl. Lejre, large stones stand in the shape of a ship. This stone ship setting belongs to a Viking Age burial ground. The ship's shape is linked to the idea of a journey after death. Walk alongside the stones and imagine the great stone ship in its entirety.
Harald Hildetand's mound holds a surprise
Legend links this mound in Gl. Lejre to King Harald Hildetand, also known as Harald Wartooth. But the burial monument is far older: a long dolmen, a Stone Age tomb, from around 3500 BC. Here, ancient stones and the tale of a legendary king meet in the same place. Make a detour to the mound as you explore Gl. Lejre's historic landscape.
The Skuldelev ships had one last job: blocking the way
After a life on the water, five worn ships were given a final task in Roskilde Fjord. They were deliberately sunk to block a sailing channel, first around AD 1060-1070, with further reinforcements added later. The barrier was probably intended to protect Roskilde or control shipping. Today, you can see the original ships at the Viking Ship Museum and explore the fjord landscape around the village of Skuldelev.
Follow Harald Bluetooth's traces to Roskilde
According to medieval accounts, the Danish king Harald Bluetooth was buried in Roskilde. The location of his grave is not known for certain. At Roskilde Cathedral, you can see him in a wall painting among the church's early founders in the high choir. His story takes you back to a time when royal power and Christianity were leaving new marks on the town. Continue to Roskilde Museum to follow the town's development from the Viking Age into the Middle Ages.
The Gerdrup grave - a Viking Age family mystery
A woman with a spearhead and a man beside her. That was what archaeologists found in an unusual ninth-century grave at Gerdrup, north of Roskilde. Many years later, DNA analysis indicated that they were mother and son. At Roskilde Museum, you can get close to the find, which still raises questions about the family's lives and their final resting place together.
Step into the Vikings' world
At Sagnlandet Lejre, you can enter a reconstructed royal hall and let your gaze travel up between its mighty timber posts. At Frederikssund Viking Settlement, a longhouse and small pit houses, with floors dug into the ground, await. These modern reconstructions bring archaeological discoveries to life. Here, history takes on shape and scale, giving you a feel for both grand halls and everyday homes.
