The church stands on the site where Harald Bluetooth had his hall. This is probably also the site of the first Christian rituals.
At the end of the 11th century, one of the first stone churches in Denmark was built on the site. The nave of this first church later became the chancel of the present church.
The small silver strip in the floor marks where King Gorm, Denmark’s first king, is believed to be buried. At some point, it is assumed that he was moved here from the North Mound.
The theory was supported when, in 1878, a skeleton in 73 pieces of a man was discovered beneath the church floor. In the burial chamber, hundreds of thin gold threads were also found, which were probably woven into tapestries or the deceased’s clothing. Two silver fittings from a belt decorated with animal and bird heads lay close to the deceased.
