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Ribe Cathedral
- The town’s prominent
landmark
Ribe Cathedral is visible for miles across the flat landscape, and it is amazing to think that travellers have been met by this sight since the middle of the 13th century when it was completed. Ribe Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Denmark. Vor Frue Kirke (The Church of Our Lady), as the cathedral is actually called, became the only five-aisled cathedral in Denmark following numerous alterations and additions. The present-day building is characterised by a wealth of different styles and interesting details. There are sepulchral monuments to some of the most powerful men of the town and the nation as a whole, as well as the oldest sepulchral monument in Scandinavia, erected by King Valdemar the Conqueror to a son who died in 1231. The chancel features a series of colourful paintings and mosaics by Carl Henning Pedersen (added between 1982 and1987).
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Ribe Cathedral has been awarded top marks by the French Michelin Travel Guide for sights and attractions. The cathedral was awarded three stars, the highest accolade possible, and an honour accorded only to 15 attractions in Danmark.
The Michelin Travel Guide awards three stars, and a top rating, to attractions it deems “worth a journey”. Attractions that are deemed “worth a detour” are awarded two stars, while attractions that the guide finds “interesting” are awarded one star.
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Borgertårnet (The Commoners’ Tower), which dates from the 14th century, functions as the town’s watchtower and storm tower and provides amazing views of the marshes. The 52-metre-high tower is entered through the cathedral (please note that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult).
At the foot of the Maria Tower, which houses the cathedral bells, stands a statue of Hans Tausen (1494–1561) – monk, Lutheran and protagonist of the Danish Reformation, appointed Bishop of Ribe in 1542.
On the south side of the cathedral stands a statue of the hymn writer Hans Adolf Brorson (1694–1764) – Pietist, rural dean in Ribe 1737, appointed Bishop of Ribe in 1741.
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