GLAVENDRUP STONES (GLAVENDRUPSTENEN)

Suddenly, we arrive at a small wood, perched on a hill rising in the middle of fields yet desperately flat. A place apart, preserved since the Viking era, where an atmosphere that encourages meditation reigns. And for good reason: the site is home to an alignment of stones in the shape of a boat. Perhaps to your surprise, the longest and best preserved of these "stone boats" built by the Northmen to organize their cremations and pay homage to their dead, stands before you.

Nine graves were found here, and a 6-ton stone with a long inscription in runic script, a dedication of 210 letters on three sides: " Ragnhild erected this stone in honor of Alle-le-pâle, priest of the temples, a highly esteemed chief. This monument was built by Alle's sons in honor of their father, and by his wife in honor of her husband. Sote engraved these runes in memory of his master. May the god Thor sanctify them. May he who damages this stone or reuses it in honor of someone else be cursed. " No one dared to do so, since the place was classified as a national site (hence the presence of flagpoles for Danish flags) after its rediscovery at the end of the 19th century!

Excavations have shown that it was not the tomb of this dignitary, Alle, who died during a distant expedition, but a tribute to his memory!