Southern Jutland is unquestionably as flat as a pancake. That is the corner of Denmark we visit on a fine October day, and where we discover the true Danish marshland with its vivid birdlife, herds of sheep and protecting dykes – the epitome of the Danish Wadden Sea in the Ribe area.

Migratory birds and geese flock here in spring and autumn on their way to other European or African destinations. The Wadden Sea provides with its coastal wetland, sea-grass meadows, salt marshes and sandy beaches excellent opportunities as a habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. Not surprisingly, it is on the World Heritage List.

Black Sun at the Wadden Sea

One of the stunning phenomena is the Black Sun, unpredictably occurring during March-April and September-October. When it happens, it is a breathtaking scenery where thousands of starlings gather and make the most incredible formations in the air. Of course, it is a favoured moment to be able to watch them, but you never know with certainty if you will be lucky enough on the precise day you choose to go.

The koogs are created when the seabed is drained | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Wadden Sea dykes and locks

Being on a day tour to visit Ribe and experience the Wadden Sea, we drive along the sheep-covered dykes and watch out for rare birds. On foot, we follow the trail along and across one of the outer dykes and proceed towards Vidåslusen, the Vidå Lock, just north of the German border. We are amazed to view row upon row of wooden poles in the water. They are part of the process of how the land is expanded here.

Continuously, new land is created from the shallow sea. By constructing dykes around the sea mud plains of tidal marsh, the so-called koogs are born. They are areas of seabed and marshland which get drained and then, little by little, are turned into grassy land. In this way, new farmland arises, and the poles contribute to protecting the areas from the tidal sea.

Grassland eventually results when the flat seabed has been drained | Photo: Travel In Culture

At Vidåslusen, we unexpectedly spot a curious seal swiftly popping up from the water. Just as fast as it appeared, it was gone again!

In several places along the locks and dykes region-specific flood columns stand! At Højer Lock, just one kilometre further inland, we reach the massive and tall Højer flood column with a clear indication of how high up the water came at historic floodings.

Over the years, Ribe and large parts of Southern Denmark have been significantly challenged and affected by floodings from the sea. For this reason, numerous dykes have been built everywhere along the west coast and often repeated further inland. The dykes are constantly reinforced when a storm rages. We even come across numerous elevated houses constructed on dyke-like grounds.

Vidå Lock at the Wadden Sea West Denmark | Photo: Travel In Culture

A visit to the picturesque medieval town Ribe, centrally located near the Wadden Sea, is next. Of course, it has its monumental flood column with markings of the most devastating floodings throughout the last centuries.

The Great Man Drownings of the Wadden Sea

In 1634, one of the worst floodings ever occurred, and the water rose to 6 m (20 ft) above the usual level. The incident is also known as the Second Great Man Drowning! Between 8,000 and 15,000 people probably drowned as large areas of land were hit by the inevitable floods. Ribe Cathedral has a specific marking on the wall indicating where the water went (1.7 m or 5.6 ft above the proper church floor!).

The devastating storm wiped out most of the former island Strand, and the small fishing village Sønderside was left uninhabitable and given up forever. Instead, another piece of land, Skallingen, arose from the swelling sea.

Visit Ribe in Denmark – Medieval Town of the Wadden Sea

Centuries before, in 1362, the First Great Man Drowning occurred. The coastline was changed, and towns like Rungholt (of an estimated 1,500 – 2,000 inhabitants) were forever erased from the map. Only centuries later, when artefacts emerged from the long-buried land and the Wadden Sea, has it become clear that this Rungholt actually had existed as a real place and not just as a legendary. According to the myths, the small community might even have existed 3,000 years ago. Some sources claim that there is evidence that trading with the Minoan culture had taken place at that early time. If it is true, it would be unique since it would, in that case, have been an important trading place much earlier than otherwise assumed.

Visit the medieval town of Ribe in Denmark

With this harsh history in mind, we now visit Ribe and its town harbour with the solemn and probably most well-known flood column in Denmark. The year 1634 is marked on the very top of it, reminding every passerby of the tragic past.

A cosy restaurant offers an excellent view of the old cathedral in Ribe | Photo: Travel In Culture

Anyway, the town is surprisingly rich in other intriguing history as well. Ribe is a well-preserved medieval town to visit, notably the oldest in Denmark, with idyllic cobblestone streets past the half-timbered brick houses! The kernel is the square and streets around the old cathedral, which is also absolutely worthy of a visit.

The town was founded around the year 710 as a trading centre. Not only is Ribe the oldest, still existing, town in Denmark – but it also features the oldest cathedral from the 13th century as well as the oldest town hall from 1496, which you today can visit as a museum! It tells the history of medieval life, including the role of the traditional night watchmen and the notorious, gruesome torture devices used in the medieval sense of justice in the small trading town.

Half-timbered houses are ubiquitous in Ribe, Denmark | Photo: Travel In Culture

Despite the at times harsh life, Ribe preserved until the 16th century the character of a flourishing trading place. During the following years, the town structure irrevocably underwent radical changes along with the numerous fires, the plague, and the Reformation.

To address justice principles, the Danish king Erik Klipping established in the year 1269 the Court of Ribe. However, it was a much stricter law than the previously enforced Code of Jutland, which continued to apply in the rest of Jutland. Even minor offences related to trading could be punished by death – by decapitation or hanging!

Idyllic street in Ribe with rose-decorated houses | Photo: Travel In Culture

However, it is hard to sense the harshness of old Ribe when strolling through the small town. Picturesque, as it appears today, it hides its severe past well. Historical houses dot the narrow streets, often flanked by enchanting, colourful roses leaning towards the uneven house walls.

Stork visit in Ribe is unique in Denmark

Tourists unwind in the tiny restaurants and cafées opposite the old cathedral. If we are not fortunate enough to view the Black Sun during our stay here, can we perhaps catch sight of a stork above the town’s roofs instead? Ribe is notably renowned for the occasional visit of a stork couple in the stork nest on the roof of the old town hall – it is awesome when it shows up!

Read more about Aarhus in Denmark: 9 Cultural Spots in Aarhus – Denmark

Read next: Little Mermaid Statue & Story – H C Andersen and 10 Local Attractions in Copenhagen

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