Queen Tove's rune stone
Step into the Viking era, where Christianity took hold and powerful figures left their mark. This rune stone at Sdr. Vissing Church was erected by Harald Bluetooth's wife and serves as a testament to the king's presence in Bakkelandet around the time Denmark embraced Christianity.
Historical attraction in Bakkelandet
The peaceful and picturesque village of Sdr. Vissing, located between Horsens and Silkeborg, hides a historical gem. It might be hard to imagine as you pass by the village’s charming old church, but upon stepping through its doors, you'll discover two rune stones—one of which tells an important story from the time when Denmark embraced Christianity and transformed into the united nation we know today.
One of Denmark's most important rune stones
The 2.5-meter-high rune stone is located in the chancel of Sdr. Vissing Church, near the entrance from the porch. The text on the stone originates from the younger runic alphabet used around the years 950-1000, when the stone was created.
The translated inscription reads: ”Tove, Mistivis datter, Harald den Godes, Gorms søns kone, lod gøre kuml efter sin mor”. This stone is a tribute to Harald Bluetooth's mother-in-law, Mistivi, erected by his wife, Tove. Harald Bluetooth's marriage to Tove is primarily known through this stone, which clearly indicates the king's presence in the area. The stones most likely were not always within the church but were originally erected atop burial mounds in the vicinity.
Who was Queen Tove?
While most are familiar with Viking king Harald Bluetooth's significance in Danish history—uniting Denmark into a single kingdom, converting it to Christianity, and joining forces with Norway—Tove is less well-known. She was the daughter of Mistivoj, leader of the Slavic tribe known as the Obotrites, who were one of Denmark's closest southern neighbors at the time, ruling over what is now Mecklenburg. Thus, she was a Wendish princess, and her marriage to Harald Bluetooth likely represented a political alliance to ensure stability between the two neighboring regions.
Why is the stone in Sdr. Vissing?
During this period, Denmark was governed from Jelling, where Harald Bluetooth's well-known rune stone commemorates his parents. While there is a connection between the two stones, the rune stone in Sdr. Vissing is less famous than its counterpart in Jelling, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The distance from Jelling to Sdr. Vissing is not great, and the king's influence can generally be traced within a certain radius from Jelling in Jutland. In the area around Sdr. Vissing, there are several signs of the spread of Christianity in Denmark, including a significant number of monasteries and a fortification on Sukkertoppen that protected these monasteries.
Tamdrup Church, near Horsens, is said to be the location where Harald Bluetooth decided that Denmark should become Christian.
This creates an opportunity to plan an exciting historical tour in the area focused on Harald Bluetooth.
Would you like to visit Sdr. Vissing Church?
Sdr. Vissing Church is open to visitors during the day. Here, you can also see the other rune stone (Toke’s rune stone), which was ritually used as a bowl stone over 3,000 years ago.
Inside the church, you'll find several beautiful and striking frescoes.
On this page, you can find inspiration for more historical experiences in the Coastal Region.