Riberhus

Riberhus is a castle ruin featuring an eight-meter-tall embankment encircled by moats, set within a park in Ribe. The elevated earthwork provides views across the medieval foundation remains and allows visitors to walk around the entire perimeter.

The castle was built in the early 1200s as a royal fortress and tax collection hub for the Danish crown. Swedish forces destroyed it in 1658 during regional conflicts between the two kingdoms.

A bronze statue of Queen Dagmar marks the southern corner of the embankment, created in 1913 by Danish sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. The monument stands as a visible reminder of the site's royal medieval connections.

The grounds are open year-round and can be freely explored as part of a public park setting. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip since the embankment slopes and ground can be uneven underfoot.

Archaeological excavations revealed that the area was inhabited as early as the 10th century, long before the medieval castle was built. This earlier occupation layer is often overlooked by visitors focused on the visible fortress remains.

GPS coordinates: 55.33080,8.75644

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08