Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Museet Ribes Vikinger
Above: Dressing up at the Viking Museum in Ribe. Photo: Sydvestjyske Museer. Middle: Ribe Cathedral. Photo: Folmer Iversen. Above right: The Viking Museum: Museet Ribes Vikinger. Photo: Sydvestjyske Museer. Below right: Ribe’s Art Museum. Photo: Visit Ribe. Bottom left: Mandø. Photo: Visit Ribe.
A city ripe with history Ribe, situated on the west coast of Denmark, encompasses a rich history, jawdropping nature and a vibrant cultural scene, making it the perfect place for an enthralling getaway. By Josefine Older Steffensen
Ribe, founded during the Viking Age, is Denmark’s oldest town. It became an important transport hub for mainland Europe, with rapid expansion booming during the Middle Ages – which still shows in the medieval architecture throughout the town.
History This period in history is depicted in the town’s Viking museum: Museet Ribes Vikinger. Here you can explore the daily life of the Vikings and the famous ships and battles that define the Viking Age. “It’s a fantastic day out. We encourage dressing up and having fun, and our guides are excellent at further explaining
Surroundings the Viking life,” says museum director and professor Flemming Just. In addition to the museum, there is a Viking Exhibition Centre where you can fully immerse yourself in the Viking way of life. The centre depicts Ribe as it looked during the Viking period. “The Cathedral is a good place to start in Ribe, as you can explore the town’s history,” explains Henrik Vej Kastrupsen, director of tourism. The cathedral was finished in 1250 and has been a focal point of the town ever since.
Culture and relaxation “Time slows down when you arrive in Ribe,” says Kastrupsen. Both he and Just suggest spending some time sitting in one of the cafés or wine bars, enjoying the surroundings and relaxing, watching life pass by. The town also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including jazz and
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wine festivals. Moreover, Ribe has an art museum, boasting paintings from Denmark’s famous Skagen painters as well as from the Golden Age period.
The Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is right on Ribe’s doorstep. This means opportunities for fantastic days out: you can go on an oyster safari; drive on the ocean floor to Mandø, an island with 34 inhabitants that you can walk around in about an hour; or simply enjoy the picturesque views. “There’s a very special atmosphere in and around Ribe,” says Just. With Billund Airport only an hour away, Hamburg two hours away and excellent transport links to many cities in Denmark, Ribe is an accessible, enjoyable getaway. There are plenty of things to explore, whatever your interests and, as Just says: “You get a pure, unmitigated experience when you come to Ribe.” See what you can explore in Ribe: www.visitribe.dk The Viking Museum: Museet Ribes Vikinger: www.ribesvikinger.dk