Museet Ribes Vikinger

About the museum

Ribe is considered the oldest town in the Nordic countries: around the year 700, a trading place emerged here on the edge of the North Sea and developed into a hub between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. Beneath today's streets, exceptionally well-preserved cultural layers more than 1,300 years old have survived. Finds from the excavations form the basis of the museum, which opened in 1995 in the town's former power station at Odins Plads.

Today the museum is part of Museum Vest, the association of cultural and natural history museums of Esbjerg Municipality, and draws on its archaeological research. More than 14,000 finds are on display. The Viking Age exhibition tells how Ribe became the Vikings' first trading place, with glass beads made from recycled Roman glass, early coin minting, bronze jewelry, and a comb with a runic inscription. A puzzling small object that probably shows Odin with his ravens is among the best-known pieces.

The Middle Ages exhibition describes Ribe's rise to a center of church, royal power, and long-distance trade, with imported pottery from France, gaming pieces, the town seal, and traces of the fighting of 1247. For families there are two play areas: the children's Viking town "Riberødder," opened in 2026, with illustrations by Valhalla artist Peter Madsen, and the hands-on room "Dagmar & Valdemar" about medieval Ribe.

Highlights

• More than 14,000 archaeological finds from Ribe
• Exhibitions on the Viking Age and the Middle Ages
• "Odin fra Ribe" and a comb with a runic inscription
• Children's Viking town "Riberødder" with drawings by Peter Madsen
• Hands-on room "Dagmar & Valdemar" for dressing up and playing

Permanent exhibitions

• Vikingetid – Uses numerous excavation finds to show how Ribe became a trading place of the early Viking Age from around 700, with glass beads, coins, combs, and bronze jewelry.
• Middelalder – Leads through medieval Ribe as a center of church, monasteries, and European trade, and also sheds light on the everyday life of its inhabitants.
• Riberødder – børnenes vikingeby – Play and adventure world for children recreating Ribe in the 9th century; crafts, trade, and the world of the gods can be explored with all the senses.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Museum Vest

Admission & discounts

Payment in Danish crowns, euro banknotes, or with common cards.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All floors are reachable by elevator; a wheelchair can be borrowed. Dogs are not allowed, but assistance dogs and guide dogs for the blind are allowed on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

In the children's Viking town "Riberødder," children slip into the roles of craftspeople, merchants, or warriors in 9th-century Ribe; everything may be touched. In the hands-on room "Dagmar & Valdemar," families dress up as a queen, king, or knight and try out medieval games. Additional activities are offered during the fall break.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The café serves cold and hot drinks as well as ice cream; outside food may be eaten there. Free lockers with locks. Museum shop with books, jewelry, and toys on the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. Quiet room with beanbags, also suitable for nursing.

Events & venue rental

School classes can rent an enclosed room for eating and group work (inquiries to booking@musvest.dk).

Plan your visit