Architect selected for new gateway to the Viking Age in Ribe

May 2026

Visualisation: ADEPT - Gateway to Ripa

With the architect now selected, Ribe VikingeCenter has taken a major step closer to realising its vision for a new arrival building costing DKK 75 million, made possible with support from foundations including the A.P. Møller Foundation, the Aage and Johanne Louis Hansen Foundation and the Augustinus Foundation.

New gateway to the Viking Age in Ribe

The winner of the architectural competition is ADEPT. Together with interpretation architects Torden & Lynild, the winning team will now bring the project to life and create a striking new gateway to the Viking Age in Ribe.

Ribe’s unique Viking history is attracting growing numbers of visitors to the area. This development is clearly being felt at Ribe VikingeCenter, where visitor numbers continue to rise. With Gateway to Ripa, as the project is called, the Center is taking an important step towards both enhancing the visitor experience and preparing for the future.

"This is a milestone for Ribe VikingeCenter. We have had a very strong architectural competition with an exceptionally high standard, and we are looking forward to continuing with a project that elevates our guests’ first encounter with the site, both architecturally and experientially," says Hans Kjær, Chairman of the Board at Ribe VikingeCenter.

The winning design is a modern contemporary building constructed primarily from timber. It draws on Viking Age craftsmanship and understanding of materials, while also bringing together present day sustainability principles, the landscape of the Wadden Sea and the historical significance of Ripa.

Gateway to Ripa will include ticket sales, a shop and an area where guests are introduced to the story of the Viking town. From here, visitors will continue out into the landscape towards a clearing, where three paths open the way into the reconstructed Viking environment.

"Gateway to Ripa is designed as a movement from the pace of modern life towards the presence and atmosphere of the Viking Age. With timber, clay earth, light and visible joints, the architecture becomes more than simply a frame for the exhibition. It becomes part of the story of the place itself," explains Anders Lonka, partner at ADEPT. "We are enormously excited to begin work on a project that brings together so many of the themes we are most passionate about: site specific and resource conscious architecture, culture and, not least, a committed client who cares as deeply about the project as we do."

Ribe VikingeCenter expects Gateway to Ripa to be completed in time for the 2029 season. Construction work will not affect opening hours, access or activities at Ribe VikingeCenter.

Visualisation by ADEPT: The entrance hall in Gateway to Ripa

Facts about Gateway to Ripa

  • Gateway to Ripa is the name of Ribe VikingeCenter’s future arrival building, which will be located at the southern end of the car park and is expected to be completed in early 2029.
  • The total budget for Gateway to Ripa is DKK 75 million. The project has been realised with substantial support from several foundations. A.P. Møller and Wife Chastine Mc Kinney Møller Foundation for General Purposes has contributed DKK 30 million. In addition, the Aage and Johanne Louis Hansen Foundation has contributed DKK 15 million, the Augustinus Foundation DKK 10 million, the Johan Hoffmann Foundation DKK 2.5 million, the Obbekjer Foundation DKK 1.5 million and Esbjerg Municipality DKK 8.5 million. Ribe VikingeCenter Foundation is contributing DKK 7.5 million itself.
  • The architectural competition was launched in early January 2026 with four highly regarded architectural practices taking part.
  • The winning team consists of ADEPT, Reværk, Viggo Madsen and Opland.
  • Since 1992, Ribe VikingeCenter has reconstructed and brought to life Viking Age Ribe, Ripa, the oldest town in Denmark and the Nordic region. Based on archaeological discoveries, the reconstructed environments present 300 years of history from AD 700 to 1000. More than 1,000 volunteer history enthusiasts from Denmark and abroad are connected to Ribe VikingeCenter, which welcomes around 75,000 visitors during the open season from late April to mid October.

/Ribe VikingeCenter, May 2026