Ribe is a unique historic town and one of Denmark’s prettiest
All these flower photos are from Scandinavia’s oldest town, Ribe.
Already in the early 700s Vikings in Ribe lived in a vibrant and international town with commercial relations far beyond Scandinavia’s borders. Ribe is now Denmark’s best preserved Medieval town and one of Denmark´s most pretty and picturesque with narrow cobbled streets and roses and hollyhocks climbing up the walls of old and crooked half-timbered houses. Ribe is so pretty that it won the title of: “Europe’s Best Big-Time Small Destination 2014″
Ribe is not an open air museum, but a lived-in old town
Wandering around the historic centre of Ribe on foot, taking in the atmosphere and sights of Denmark’s and Scandinavia’s oldest town, you will notice that people actually live in these old houses.
Ribe has many preserved houses and buildings, but it is not an open air museum like the Old Town Museum (Den gamle By) in Aarhus
Denmark’s best preserved town or city
Ribe has approximately 120 listed houses and even more are declared worthy of preservation. The only place in Denmark you’ll find more listed houses than in Ribe is in Copenhagen, but in Copenhagen they are spread over a big area, while in Ribe they are all within a short walking distance from our hostel, Danhostel Ribe
Blooming hollyhocks and roses
The hollyhocks and roses in flower during the summer months fit lovely together with this old idyllic town.
In this blog post we will show you some of the streets and alleys with blooming flowers. Find the streets or houses yourself – or find some that are just as pretty.
Ribe citizens are proud of their town and maintain their houses well
Though many of the houses in Ribe centre (old town) are very small it is a very popular choice for the citizens to live in these houses and the residents are making an effort to maintain their houses well and make them fit into the picturesque oasis of tranquillity and perfect idyll in Ribe.
A walk through Danish history
Many of Ribe’s houses have a history of interest, like one of the houses on this photo from approx. 1540. It was once a pub and has a stone close to the entrance door. This stone was placed there to help drunken pub guests to throw themselves up on their horse when leaving the pub. Read more: Old Town Walk. A self-guided walking tour of old town Ribe. A Two-Hour Walk Through Danish History
Ribe’s biggest attraction is RIBE
Ribe has many museums and activity centres and a cathedral with Michelin stars in the Michelin Guide to Sights and Attractions, but an examination among tourists in Ribe revealed that Ribe’s biggest attraction is: RIBE.
Ribe town centre is besides from being a well preserved town – which is also awarded with Michelin stars – also a busy town with many cafes, restaurants and specialty shops in the town centre. Many festivals and events also attract visitors.
Time for reflection in the cloister garth
Save the most peaceful place till the last. Sit down on a bench under an arcade in the cloister garth of St Catherine’s Church and Abbey. In this relaxing, peaceful and historic atmosphere it’s time for reflection. By now we guess that you have also fallen in love with Ribe like the hostel’s guest blogger Josephine (Instagram: @adayinthelifeofafool ), a young Copenhagen newcomer in Ribe did. Read her story here:
Denmark’s oldest town seen through the eyes of a young Copenhagen art historian and newcomer
These links might also interest you:
- Ribe Info
- Visit Ribe – Ribe Tourist Office
- 10 things to do for free in Ribe – Denmark
- Viking Ribe in Viking Denmark
- Wadden Sea National Park in Denmark is now UNESCO World Heritage
- Ribe citizens have their own sense of humour.
Have a glimpse into it: A Ribe dog – a genuine Heinz 57
Go social with Danhostel Ribe
– and don’t forget to book your room in Ribe
at Danhostel Ribe, the hostel in Ribe. Read more about the hostel on our homepage (this is our blog): Danhostel Ribe
All rooms have bath/toilets and half of them have a view of Ribe old town and the Wadden Sea National Park
© Hope you have enjoyed our photos.
All photos were taken by Gudrun Rishede, Danhostel Ribe
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