![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Runesten_i_Jelling.jpg/640px-Runesten_i_Jelling.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Jelling stones
Runestones in Jelling, Denmark / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Jelling stones (Danish: Jellingstenene) are massive carved runestones from the 10th century, found at the town of Jelling in Denmark. The older of the two Jelling stones was raised by King Gorm the Old in memory of his wife Thyra. The larger of the two stones was raised by King Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, in memory of his parents, celebrating his conquest of Denmark and Norway, and his conversion of the Danes to Christianity.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Tyr-runes.svg/40px-Tyr-runes.svg.png)
This article contains runic characters. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of runes.
Quick Facts UNESCO World Heritage Site, Location ...
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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![]() Jelling stones, in their glass casing (2012) | |
Location | Jelling, Denmark |
Criteria | Cultural: iii |
Reference | 697 |
Inscription | 1994 (18th Session) |
Area | 4.96 ha |
Coordinates | 55°45′24″N 9°25′10″E |
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The runic inscriptions on these stones are considered the best known in Denmark.[1] In 1994, the stones, in addition to the burial mounds and small church nearby, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an unparalleled example of both pagan and Christian Nordic culture.[2]