A New Gateway to Viking-Age Ribe

Ribe VikingeCenter is set to begin construction on a striking new entrance building. This new structure will provide ample space for sharing knowledge about the Viking town and the lives of the Vikings before visitors step into the centre’s reconstructed Viking environments and experience the Viking Age for themselves. The entire project has the working title “The Gateway to Ripa.”

A.P. Møller og Hustru Chastine Mc-Kinney Møllers Fond til almene Formaal is supporting The Gateway to Ripa with a donation of DKK 30 million. In addition, several other foundations are contributing: Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond with DKK 15 million, Augustinus Fonden with DKK 10 million, Johan Hoffmann Fonden with DKK 2.5 million, ObbekjerFonden with DKK 1.5 million, and Esbjerg City Council with DKK 8.5 million.

“This new entrance will be a tremendous boost to the overall visitor experience and will greatly contribute to the centre’s continued positive development,” says Hans Kjær, Chairman of the Board at Ribe VikingeCenter.

Centre Managers Christin V. Clausen and Mikkel F. Laursen add: “Annual visitor numbers have now exceeded 70,000, putting pressure on the existing entrance building from 1994, which was designed to accommodate only half that number. But beyond the practical facilities, the new entrance will also serve an exciting interpretive function that will enhance the visitor experience as a whole. In an immersive exhibition space, we will introduce historical and geographical context, and engage visitors in stories about the town’s rhythm and individual lives. Our aim is to inspire curiosity and encourage more active participation in the recreated Viking settings outdoors.”

From Esbjerg City Council, Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen sees the continued development of Ribe VikingeCenter as a vital contribution to the council’s focus on culture and visitor experiences:

“Ribe VikingeCenter has achieved such success that an expansion is now due – a clear reflection of the site’s popularity and its ability to deliver high-quality experiences. If we in Esbjerg City Council want to position our region as a beacon for cultural experiences, we need strong local institutions. That’s why we greatly value the impressive progress and dedication shown by Ribe VikingeCenter,” says Jesper Frost Rasmussen.

Jakob Lose, Chairman of the Culture & Leisure Committee, fully supports this approach:

“With The Gateway to Ripa, Ribe VikingeCenter will not only gain a new entrance but also a powerful focal point for interpretation and the experience of an era that plays a vital role in the heritage of Ribe and our region. I’m confident the project will enhance visitors’ appreciation of the Viking Age and strengthen both Ribe VikingeCenter and Esbjerg City Council’s ambitions to make a mark on the cultural map,” says Jakob Lose.

In addition to the interpretive space, the building will also include a multi-purpose room, ticket office, shop, and service facilities. The final design has not yet been determined, but an architectural competition will be launched to ensure the best possible solution.

The construction will not affect the centre’s opening hours, visitor access, or interpretive activities in any way.

The location of the new entrance facility, The Gateway to Ripa, means that neither opening hours, visitor access, nor interpretive activities will be affected during construction.

Facts about Ribe VikingeCenter

Since 1992, Ribe VikingeCenter has been reconstructing and bringing to life Viking-Age Ribe (Ripa), the oldest town in Denmark and Scandinavia. The reconstructed settings, based on archaeological discoveries, present 300 years of history from AD 700 to 1000. Through performances, events, craftsmanship, hands-on activities, and educational programmes, the Viking Age becomes a tangible and engaging experience. More than 1,000 volunteer history enthusiasts from Denmark and abroad are affiliated with Ribe VikingeCenter. Many of them participate several times during the season, contributing to everything from maintenance, construction, and equipment making to event support and historical interpretation. During the opening season, which runs from late April to mid October, the centre welcomes around 70,000 guests.

Further information

Christin V. Clausen and Mikkel F. Laursen at the current entrance to Ribe VikingeCenter.
The Gateway to Ripa will offer modern arrival facilities and an introduction to the Centre's core experience: immersive, live interpretation.
Between demonstrations and shared experiences, there is always the opportunity to chat with the interpreters, who are happy to share their knowledge, e.g. about traditional craft processes.