The Viking Fortress Borgring near Køge

Just outside Køge lies the Viking fortress Borgring. Added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2023 and now reborn as a museum, Borgring invites you to walk in the footsteps of one of Denmark’s most iconic kings – Harald Bluetooth.

At Borgring, you travel back to a time of profound change, when ancient Norse beliefs were challenged by Christianity and Denmark stood at the crossroads of history. Ring fortresses like Borgring were built to consolidate royal power, impose order and support the king’s vision of a unified, Christian kingdom.

Explore one of the most significant transformations in Danish history: the shift from Norse mythology to Christianity. Through immersive visual installations, mythological narratives and thought-provoking questions, you are taken back to the Viking Age and asked: Why did Harald Bluetooth convert to Christianity? How did the new faith strengthen his power? And what role did the ring fortresses play in his strategy?

A living museum at the heart of history

Designed by LOOP Architects, the new museum blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Across 1,800 m², you encounter gods and kings, gain insight into the archaeological discoveries behind Borgring, and experience the fortress as both a symbol of power and an architectural masterpiece.

Visitors can explore the major special exhibition, enjoy panoramic views from the top of the museum and learn how Borgring became part of UNESCO’s World Heritage in 2023 alongside Denmark’s other Viking ring fortresses.

World heritage in Køge – alongside the Taj Mahal

In 2023, Borgring was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as part of Denmark’s Viking ring fortresses. The designation recognises their exceptional engineering skills and their role as symbols of a new, unified Denmark.

Together, the ring fortresses represent a unique moment in world history, when Scandinavia transitioned from pagan traditions to becoming part of Christian Europe. As physical manifestations of this turbulent period, they mark the emergence of Denmark as a kingdom – on par with world-famous sites such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

A discovery for the history books

In 2014, archaeologists Søren Sindbæk and Nanna Holm discovered the previously unknown Viking fortress Borgring on farmland near the village of Lellinge, close to Køge. Drone surveys revealed a perfect circular shape more than 100 metres in diameter.

Excavations confirmed the find: a Viking ring fortress of the Trelleborg type. Today, the fortress’s symmetrical form – 144 metres in diameter – is marked by tall corten steel poles that outline the original ramparts and construction.