Ribe Viking Museum

Denmark

Posted by Alex Nichol in Photography
6th Jul 2022

 

Before setting off from my guesthouse in Tønder to Hirtshalls in the far North to catch my ferry to Norway, I stopped off at the nearby Ribe Viking Museum. I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised, and ended up spending most of the morning there. It's an open-air museum, similar to the North of England's Beamish in concept, only bringing an ancient Viking settlement to life. It sits on the site of the oldest Viking town in Denmark, dating back to the 700's, and comprises a dozen or more replica buildings.

Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

They have actors at each of the buildings in full costume, teaching visitors about everyday Viking life, and demonstrating numerous crafts from weaving and boat-building, to carpentry and blacksmithing. Although the majority of the actors were local born, they spoke better English than I did, so it was easy to understand what was going on, and in some cases, incredibly entertaining.

Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

My visit was a bit of a last-minute affair, but if you plan far enough ahead, you can take part in some of the activities and workshops. Visitors were having a go at weaving and spinning, and the kids seemed to be having a great time. I couldn't have asked for better weather too - it was glorious. Which is just as well, since the site is actually pretty big, with the majority of exhibits outdoors.

Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

In the main hall, a farmer told me that the technology Bluetooth was named after Harald Bluetooth, a Danish king who was famous for connecting people - namely uniting Denmark and Norway in the 900's. I thought she was pulling my leg, but it's apparently true. The logo is even two runes, Hagal ᚼ and Bjarkan ᛒ (his initials) combined.

Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
Photograph of Ribe Viking Museum, Denmark by Alex Nichol
Sony A7R IV + Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

These photographs were taken with my Sony A7R IV in combination with the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM and the gorgeous Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM. Of course, shots like these need a circular polariser to really make them pop; I'm currently using Kase Wolverine magnetic filters.

Equipment used
Camera
Sony A7R IV
Lenses
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
 
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
Filters
Kase Wolverine Magnetic

All images © Alex Nichol 2022 - all rights reverved.

About the photographer

I'm Alex Nichol. I'm an amateur photographer from the North of England. For me, photography is a way to share what I love most about the world. That includes everything, from family and friends, to wild animals and breathtaking places... or maybe just how the sun twinkles on a weed in my back garden. It's all fair game.