Denmark's fantastic family friendly Viking museum

With our surname clearly linked to the Viking God of Storm Weather (Thor, son of son of Odin and Fyorgyn, the earth goddess)… we really wanted to take the chance to find out about our possible ancestors… and where better than Ribe’s acclaimed Viking Museum – Museet Ribes Vikinger It’s free parking on a Sunday (and 3hrs midweek) was a bonus and gave us a chance to sample the delights of the recent supermarket shop! Stuffed full of pastries, thick Danish bread&cheese we were ready to enjoy the museum.

RIBES VIKINGER

Drawn to this museum due to its focus on authenticity rather than sensationalist exhibitions, both girls have become well accustomed to what they like to don’t like from a museum…. well this gets a thumbs up from both girls!! So why?

Firstly, its well located with easy parking and only 500m from the stunningly pretty centre of Ribes. It’s exhibitions are well laid out and clearly accessible.. both girls felt they got to touch, feel and enjoy the whole experience. The fantastically family friendly downstairs basement with interactive jousting, dressing up, ancient children games was a real hit!

HOW WHY IS IT SO GOOD FOR FAMILIES?

Firstly, its well located with easy parking and only 500m from the stunningly pretty centre of Ribes. It’s exhibitions are well laid out and clearly accessible.. both girls felt they got to touch, feel and enjoy the whole experience. The fantastically family friendly downstairs basement with interactive jousting, dressing up, ancient children games was a real hit!

The interactivity continues into the museum with the interactive screens allowing both girls to try their hands at bartering, exchanging goods, selecting weapons and trying to do battle… viking style! Did we win, well maybe not, but there’s always room for improvement!

HOW LONG CAN YOU SPEND HERE?

The displays around the authentic viking long ship are brilliant reminders of how life must have been lived yet the information boards give more detail if required… this theme continues throughout the museum and its well worth giving 3-4hrs to do it properly.. we managed 2hrs and could easily return!

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

The main exhibition focuses on the fact that Christianity and Vikings may be more linked than previously thought… as graves/bodies were discovered that predate Harold Bluetooth in AD964… this exhibition finishes on 17 April 2017, and is well worth a visit before if you can make it.

The centre is run by real historians and archaeologists so each staff member provided a wealth of knowledge and background that was useful too… the main centre has a wonderful coffee shop and place to buy knick knacks from the Viking era…nothing entered the van, but both girls we keen to add to their souvenirs!!!

It provided a brilliant starting point to our journey around Scandinavia and we all feel that the journey has now really begun… I only hope the trip continues to be as informative and fun as today was!