Here stands the Kong Arrild Statue a metal figure commemorating a legendary king. The statue’s location is significant. It sits east of Kong Arrilds Hoj a large burial mound in Harreslev a suburb of Flensburg. This mound is one of four in a group. They date back to the Early Bronze Age.
Legend claims King Arrild is buried within Kong Arrilds Hoj with all his treasures. Archaeological analysis in 1940 revealed a well-preserved oak coffin. Inside lay a long-haired man. He was wrapped in cowhide wearing a woolen tunic and a small gold spiral ring. Sadly most of the supposed treasures were missing. Grave robbers had plundered the mound centuries before.
The mound itself was approximately 45 meters high and 30 meters across. It was originally encircled by a ring of inward-leaning edge stones. It was built of heather and turf vegetation side down. Even the coffin was remarkable. It was a hollowed-out oak trunk about 3 meters long and 175 meters wide. Bronze Age people cleverly created a drain hole in the bottom. This drained away any water preventing the coffin’s decay.
But the story doesn’t end with the king’s remains. Kong Arrilds Hoj was also known locally as Pullebjerg. This name’s origin is linked to the Jutish word “pule” meaning “to have intercourse.” This folk etymology hints at a different aspect of the mound’s history. A history beyond the regal burial. A history whispered among the locals. A history interwoven with local legends.
The Kong Arrild Statue therefore serves as a bridge. It connects the archaeological evidence with the enduring local folklore. It reminds us of a mysterious past. A past that blends royal history with earthy tales. The statue is more than just a metal figure. It is a symbol. A symbol that embodies the duality of the site. The revered king and the provocative nickname. It beckons us to consider the layers of history embedded in this place. The richness of a story spanning millennia.