Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Denmark Slagelse Municipality Trelleborg Viking Ring Fortress

Trelleborg Viking Ring Fortress

A perfectly circular stronghold constructed in the 10th century is now a nucleus of Viking culture housing a museum, village, and reenactment of an epic Viking battle.

Slagelse Municipality, Denmark

Added By
Mordy
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Trelleborg Museum and Viking longhouse   Blue Square House - Flickr
Trelleborg Museum and Viking longhouse   Blue Square House - Flickr
Trelleborg   Eva Funderburgh
Viking clash   Lars K. Jensen - Flickr
Model of the ring fortress   Niel Wilkie
The Viking Festival   Heini Samuelson
Trelleborg Ring Fortress   Heini Samuelson - Flickr
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Clashing swords! Trampling Boots! A Viking battle cry!

These sounds fill the air of Trelleborg during the annual Viking fair of Denmark in July.  The weeklong Viking extravaganza features an authentic Viking market, displays of Viking lore and craftsmen churning out nostalgic Viking artifacts. The battle itself, fought between the modern-day army of King Harald Bluetooth and his son takes place near a millennia-old fortress that housed 500-700 Vikings during the reign of King Harald.

The Trelleborg fortress is one of a series of barracks in Denmark built by King Harald for military maneuvering in the 10th century. The stronghold consisted of a circular rampart and two paths that cross in the center, creating four equal segments, each occupied by four Viking longhouses. The massive fortress, 180 meters in diameter with a wall 17 meters wide, is alleged to have used almost half the available oak timber in Zealand.

Trelleborg has recently revived its Viking heritage, building a museum of Viking culture and a village that transports the visitor to the reign of a young Harald Bluetooth. Bluetooth, who according to legend acquired the name from his love of blueberries, was known for his conversion to Christianity as well as the unification of Denmark and Norway under one reign for a brief period. 21st century fame has come to Harald in the form of an eponymous wireless communication company whose logo bears the Nordic runes of the Viking king’s initials.

Related Tags

Fortresses Vikings Museums Monuments Wondrous Performances Ruins

Know Before You Go

Trelleborg is located in Northwest Zealand, approximately, 6km from Slagelse and 104km southwest of Copenhagen. Trains operate frequently from Copenhagen to Slagelse and bus 312 travels to Trelleborg.

Community Contributors

Added By

Mordy

Edited By

bruce1b

  • bruce1b

Published

July 18, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.visitdenmark.com/danmark/trelleborg---museum-of-the-viking-age-gdk718614
  • http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/en_GB/trelleborg?
  • http://www.erantis.com/guide/viking/trelleborg.htm
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_ring_fortress#cite_note-2
  • http://www.vikingdenmark.com/trelleborg-viking-fortress-slagelse-denmark.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_I_of_Denmark
  • http://www.adenmarkattraction.com/denmark-attractions/trelleborg-museum.htm
  • http://www.historiavivens.eu/2/trelleborg_viking_market_120268.html
Trelleborg Viking Ring Fortress
4 Trelleborg Alle
Slagelse Municipality, 4200
Denmark
55.39439, 11.271953
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'Metaforkirkegården' ('The Cemetery of Metaphors')

Sorø, Denmark

miles away

Den Hvide Jomfru (The White Maiden)

Nyborg, Denmark

miles away

Græshoppebroen (Grasshopper Bridge)

Karrebæksminde, Denmark

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Denmark

Denmark

Europe

Places 158
Stories 19

Nearby Places

'Metaforkirkegården' ('The Cemetery of Metaphors')

Sorø, Denmark

miles away

Den Hvide Jomfru (The White Maiden)

Nyborg, Denmark

miles away

Græshoppebroen (Grasshopper Bridge)

Karrebæksminde, Denmark

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Denmark

Denmark

Europe

Places 158
Stories 19

Related Stories and Lists

14 Places to Explore Viking Lore

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Gothenburg, Sweden

    Ragnhildsholmen Castle Ruin

    This castle ruin in the middle of nowhere is a gem for wildlife enthusiasts.

  • The eternal flame.

    Chennai, India

    Perarignar Anna Memorial

    The largest funeral ever held was for one of Tamil's most influential politicians.

  • Piles of Goryeo stone tiles excavated from the site.

    Gyeongju, South Korea

    Hwangnyonsa Temple Site

    Only the stone foundations remain of one of the greatest Buddhist temples in early East Asian history.

  • Ruins of a tower, destroyed during the Battle of Bomarsund

    Bomarsund, Åland Islands

    Bomarsund Fortress

    This impressive coastal fortress was destroyed before it was finished.

  • Ore cars.  Each held about a ton of rock, and a worker (“mucker”) was expected to fill about 16 in a shift.

    Leeds, Utah

    Silver Reef

    A mining camp built around an unexpected occurrence of silver.

  • Our Lady of Hope at Ramla Beach

    Gozo, Malta

    Our Lady of Hope

    One of Malta’s most popular beaches features a seemingly out-of-place statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

  • Much of the old structure is still intact.

    Kladovo, Serbia

    Fetislam Fortress

    One of the most important fortresses along the Danube now lies in ruins.

  • Tarout Castle

    Tarout, Saudi Arabia

    Tarout Castle

    This former Portuguese defensive fort atop a hill was occupied for thousands of years.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.