Ringkobing Attractions
Jutland
The little town of Ringkøbing lies on the northern bank of Ringkøbing Fjord on the west coast of Jutland. The lagoon-like fjord, bordered in the south by Holmsland Klit, is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. In the 17th century the entrance to the fjord began to shift southwards and to silt up, making it more difficult for ships to enter from the North Sea. It was 1931 before the problem was finally solved by the opening of the lock in Hvide Sande.
History
The oldest known privileges enjoyed by the town date from 1443. Agriculture, fishing, oyster-catching and shipping formed the principal sources of income for the inhabitants, followed later by trade in cattle. The 17th century brought a period of decline, caused by the wars with Sweden and the silting up of the channel to the North Sea. In 1793 the district administration was moved to Ringkobing.
In 1869 Ringkøbing was the first small town in Denmark to provide free universal education. In 1904-5 the town received a new harbor. Today the citizens are very enthusiastic about environmental protection; they help to keep the beaches clean and, as far as possible, use environmentally-friendly sources of energy.
The little town of Ringkøbing lies on the northern bank of Ringkøbing Fjord on the west coast of Jutland. The lagoon-like fjord, bordered in the south by Holmsland Klit, is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. In the 17th century the entrance to the fjord began to shift southwards and to silt up, making it more difficult for ships to enter from the North Sea. It was 1931 before the problem was finally solved by the opening of the lock in Hvide Sande.
History
The oldest known privileges enjoyed by the town date from 1443. Agriculture, fishing, oyster-catching and shipping formed the principal sources of income for the inhabitants, followed later by trade in cattle. The 17th century brought a period of decline, caused by the wars with Sweden and the silting up of the channel to the North Sea. In 1793 the district administration was moved to Ringkobing.
In 1869 Ringkøbing was the first small town in Denmark to provide free universal education. In 1904-5 the town received a new harbor. Today the citizens are very enthusiastic about environmental protection; they help to keep the beaches clean and, as far as possible, use environmentally-friendly sources of energy.
Ringkøbing Museum
The Ringkøbing Museum on Kongevejen displays local history items, a coin collection, ecclesiastical artifacts, ships' figureheads and pictures of stranded ships. Also of interest is the collection of items relating to the writer and Polar explorer Ludwig Mylius-Erichsen (1872-1907), who led an expedition to Greenland in 1906 but died on the return journey. His statue stands nearby.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Townscape
Beautiful old houses, such as the Customs Building in Østergade, are a feature of the townscape of Ringkøbing. On the marketplace stands the old Mayor's Palace (1807), built in the Empire style. The Market Fountain was erected to commemorate the town's 500th anniversary in 1943. From the marketplace (Torvet) Vester Strandgade leads down to the harbor. Vester Strandgade is an old street, some of the houses dating from ca. 1800, and always busy, with plenty of shops and inns.
Ringkobing Surroundings
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Olstrup, Denmark
14 km/8 mi northeast of Ringkøbing lies Ølstrup, worth a visit to see the church with a painted reredos by Emil Nolde (1867-1956) showing Christ in Emmaus (1904).
