|
|
|
|
Well-preserved medieval town
- The fingerprints of the
past
Ribe flourished as a centre for trade until the 16th century, where the Reformation, the sanding up of the river, the plague, fires, flooding and war, irreversibly changed its circumstances. Today's Ribe is characterized by a large number of 16th century houses, many of which had to be rebuilt after the fire that in 1580 swept through the centre of town and burned down 213 houses.
That these houses still stand is due solely to two facts: no large outbreaks of fire have occurred in Ribe sind 1580, and the town lost its economic importance from the middle of the 17th century. There were no finances available nor need for building new houses on a grand scale.
|
|
|
Worthy of preservation
In 1899, a tourist and conservation organisation was established, and in 1963, the town council issued a preservation order covering the entire core of the old town. Thus, Ribe is a well-preserved town with more than 100 houses subject to national preservation.
|
The great fire in 1580 destroyed 213 houses - almost the entire town centre. In the Middle Age, fire was indeed a serious threat because of the houses standing so close and having thatched roofs. Ribe Tourist Office is located in the building, Porsborg, built in 1582. Next to it stands Hotel Dagmar, which was built in 1581.
|
|
|
|
|