Archaeological Border complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke, Archaeological border site in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Hedeby and the Danevirke form an archaeological border complex with a fortified settlement and defensive walls in Schleswig-Holstein. The site spans about 33 kilometers along the ancient boundary between Danish and Frankish lands, revealing the layout of a major Viking Age trading center.
The settlement began around 800 and rapidly grew into Northern Europe's most important trading hub. It served as a connection point between Scandinavia and continental markets until it was eventually abandoned.
The site reveals how Vikings connected distant regions through trade, with objects showing exchanges between Scandinavia and continental Europe. Walking through, you sense the crossroads where different peoples met and conducted business.
The Viking Museum at Hedeby displays archaeological finds through exhibitions, while marked walking routes allow you to explore the surviving fortification walls. The site is best explored on foot, so comfortable shoes and a local trail map are helpful.
Excavations revealed a large Viking Age cemetery with ship burials, yet about 95 percent of the ancient settlement still lies untouched underground. These hidden layers might hold answers to many unanswered questions about daily life at the time.
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