Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Russia Oleg's Mound

Oleg's Mound

This burial mound is said to be the final resting place of Russia's first Viking ruler, Oleg of Novogrod.

Russia

Added By
CoolCrab
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Burial Mound of Oleg of Novgorod   Яна Краснопевцева
The Burial Mound of Oleg of Novgorod   Wilson44691
The Burial Mound of Oleg of Novgorod   Wilson44691
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The history of Russia is closely tied to the Byzantine empire and Scandinavian Vikings. One of the most important and central figures during the late 9th century was Prince Oleg of Novgorod, also known as Oleg the Prophet.

A royal from Novogrod, Oleg managed to seize power over most of Russia, then known as the Rus', from 882 to 912. He ruled the country from his newly established capital in Kyiv. Oleg greatly increased the wealth of his kingdom, primarily from a trade deal that he stuck with Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine empire. Although, this came after Oleg led a military campaign against the city. 

There are several legends surrounding the death of Oleg, but perhaps the most well known is that Oleg was killed by a snake bite. According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, there was a prophecy that stated Oleg would die due to one of his horses. To avoid this fate, he never rode a horse and had his cast off. As his territory grew, Oleg reconsidered riding horseback. With his horse long dead, Oleg dug up the bones and, according to legend, tapped the skull of the horse with his boot. This unleashed a serpent who struck Oleg in the foot, killing him and fulfilling the prophecy. 

In line with Viking traditions, it's believed Oleg was interred in a burial mound. The Urochishche Sopki is a collection of burial mounds from the 8th-10th centuries that closely resemble other Viking burial mounds found across Scandinavia. These mounds were erected for people of importance, such as kings and regents. Along the bend of the River Volkhov is where the mound is located. However, when the site was excavated in 1823 all that was discovered was a spearhead. It's also been theorized that his body may have been buried somewhere in Kyiv. 

Related Tags

Vikings Burial Places Mounds History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The mounds are freely accessible.

Community Contributors

Added By

CoolCrab

Published

March 4, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staraya_Ladoga
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_of_Novgorod
  • https://www.history.com/.amp/news/vikings-in-russia-kiev-rus-varangians-prince-oleg
Oleg's Mound
41A-006
187412
Russia
60.011934, 32.30132

Nearby Places

Oreshek Fortress

Shlisselburg, Russia

miles away

Street Art Museum

Saint Petersburg, Russia

miles away

Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery

Saint Petersburg, Russia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Russia

Russia

Europe

Places 189
Stories 58

Nearby Places

Oreshek Fortress

Shlisselburg, Russia

miles away

Street Art Museum

Saint Petersburg, Russia

miles away

Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery

Saint Petersburg, Russia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Russia

Russia

Europe

Places 189
Stories 58

Related Stories and Lists

14 Places to Explore Viking Lore

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Burial mounds in Birka

    Birka, Sweden

    Birka Viking Burial Mounds

    Sweden's first Viking city is also the site of thousands of burial mounds.

  • Anundshög

    Hökåsen-Badelunda, Sweden

    Anundshög

    This patch of land is home to Sweden's largest burial mound, allegedly belonging to a mythical king.

  • Royal burial mound in Saar

    Buri, Bahrain

    Dilmun Burial Mounds

    These 4,000-year-old tombs form a surreal landscape.

  • Take a break on top of the tumulus.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Suribachiyama Tumulus

    Unbeknownst to many, an ancient burial mound hides in plain sight in Ueno Park.

  • The entry gate and mound beyond.

    Columbus, Ohio

    Shrum Mound

    A 2,000-year-old Adena burial mound located along a busy street in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Linford Barrows

    County Antrim, Northern Ireland

    The Linford Barrows

    These unknown Bronze Age earthworks are believed to be ancient burial mounds.

  • James Chaine Burial Mound

    Larne, Northern Ireland

    James Chaine Burial Mound

    Buried upright and facing the sea, James Chaine transformed the town of Larne.

  • Björn Järnsidas Hög

    Ekerö V, Sweden

    Björn Järnsidas Hög (Björn Ironsides Mound)

    The suspected burial mound of legendary Viking Björn Ironside.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.