Ringkøbing Amt: An Overview
The area once known as Ringkjøbing Amt (Ringkøbing County) spans a significant portion of western Jutland in Denmark, stretching from the rugged North Sea coast inland to the bustling modern city of Herning. This region, now part of Region Midtjylland since the administrative reform of 2007, encompasses the historic market town of Ringkøbing, coastal communities along the Jutland west coast, and the inland areas that include Herning. Known for its low population density, diverse landscapes, and rich history, the former county reflects a blend of maritime traditions, industrial innovation, and natural beauty that continues to shape its identity today.
The City of Ringkøbing
Ringkøbing, often dubbed the “mini-capital” of West Jutland, lies at the northeastern edge of Ringkøbing Fjord, a shallow lagoon sheltered from the North Sea by the Holmsland Dunes. Archaeological evidence suggests the town was founded in the 13th century, emerging as a key harbor due to its protected location—the only significant port along the Danish west coast at the time. Its name, derived from “Rindum” (a nearby village with a church dating back to the 11th century) and “købing” (market town), reflects its early role as a trading hub.
By 1443, Ringkøbing’s status as a market town was formalized by royal decree, and it prospered through livestock trade and fishing in the subsequent centuries. The town became the administrative center of Ringkjøbing Amt in 1794, solidifying its regional importance. Historically, its streets buzzed with merchants dealing in tobacco, rope, and other goods, a legacy still visible in its charming cobblestone lanes and red-brick houses, many designed by architect Ulrik Plesner in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, its connection to the sea was disrupted in the 17th century when shifting sands and tides closed the fjord’s strait, isolating Ringkøbing until a new channel was constructed at Hvide Sande in the early 20th century.
Today, Ringkøbing, with a population of around 9,932 (as of 2024), thrives as a cultural and economic center within Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality. Tourism drives much of its modern economy, with summer visitors flocking to its fjord, harbor, and proximity to Vesterhavet (the North Sea). The presence of Vestas Nacelles, a wind turbine component manufacturer established in 1998, highlights its adaptation to modern industries, while its title as “Europe’s Happiest City” in 2007 (per a Cambridge Institute study) underscores its quality of life.
The Rise of Herning
Inland from Ringkøbing lies Herning, a city that has transformed from a modest medieval village into a vibrant industrial and cultural hub. In the early Middle Ages, Herning—then called “Hørningh”—was little more than a cluster of nine farms centered around a church, as recorded in 1668. Its fortunes changed in the 1840s when locals successfully lobbied for a major east-west road connecting Silkeborg and Ringkøbing to pass through, capitalizing on its central Jutland location.
Herning’s growth accelerated in the 20th century, driven by the textile industry and later by trade and conferencing. The establishment of the MCH Messecenter Herning, now Denmark’s largest trade and conference venue, cemented its status as a commercial powerhouse. With a population of approximately 44,763 today, Herning serves as a gateway to the west coast’s beaches and attracts visitors for its museums, golf courses, and cycling paths, though its primary draw remains business tourism. Unlike Ringkøbing’s maritime roots, Herning’s rise reflects a shift toward inland industry and connectivity, complementing the coastal character of the former Ringkøbing Amt.
The West Coast: Fishing and Tourism
The Jutland west coast, forming the western boundary of the former Ringkøbing Amt, stretches from the Limfjord in the north to the German border in the south, with Ringkøbing Fjord and nearby towns like Hvide Sande at its heart. This region has long been defined by its dual industries of fishing and tourism, shaped by the North Sea’s relentless waves and the protective dunes of Holmsland Klit.
Fishing has been a cornerstone of the coastal economy since ancient times. Ringkøbing Fjord, once a bay that gradually became a lagoon, supported a thriving fishery, with species like herring and eel sustaining local communities. The construction of the Hvide Sande canal in the early 20th century revitalized maritime access, enabling fishing boats to navigate between the fjord and the sea. Today, small-scale fishing persists, with fjord fishermen drying nets near Ringkøbing’s harbor, preserving a traditional way of life.
Tourism, however, has grown to rival fishing in economic importance. The west coast’s dramatic landscapes—windswept dunes, expansive beaches, and brackish fjords—draw visitors year-round. Hvide Sande has become a watersports hub, known as a “surfing mecca,” while the broader region, including areas like Søndervig, offers summerhouses and outdoor activities. The Tipperne peninsula, a bird reservation in the fjord’s southwest, attracts nature enthusiasts, and cultural traditions like Ringkøbing’s singing watchmen enhance the tourist experience. This blend of natural beauty and heritage has made the coast a vital part of Denmark’s tourism landscape.
Historical Overview: Ancient Times to Modernity
The history of the former Ringkøbing Amt region spans millennia, reflecting the interplay of nature, human settlement, and economic evolution.
- Ancient Times: Evidence of human activity dates back 10,000 years, with hunter-gatherers exploiting the coastal and inland resources of Jutland. The Iron Age brought settled farming communities, and by the Viking Age (8th–11th centuries), the west coast was a staging ground for maritime expeditions, with Ringkøbing Fjord’s predecessor bay serving as a natural harbor.
- Medieval Period: By the 11th century, Rindum’s church marked the area’s Christianization, followed by Ringkøbing’s emergence as a market town in the 13th century. The region’s isolation—due to its low population density and the North Sea’s harshness—kept it on the periphery of Denmark’s medieval power centers, though trade in livestock and fish fostered local growth.
- Early Modern Era (16th–18th Centuries): The shifting fjord strait in the 17th century disrupted Ringkøbing’s maritime role, while inland areas remained agrarian. Small-scale industries emerged in Ringkøbing by the late 18th century, including tobacco, leather, and lak factories, hinting at early industrialization.
- 19th Century: The establishment of Ringkjøbing Amt in 1794 formalized the region’s administrative identity. Herning’s road connection in the 1840s sparked its development, while the west coast’s fishing communities adapted to environmental changes. Railways, like the Vestjyske Længdebane (opened 1875), linked Ringkøbing to broader networks.
- 20th Century: The Hvide Sande channel’s opening in the early 1900s restored Ringkøbing’s sea access, boosting fishing and trade. World War II saw the region involved in British V-weapon tests in 1945, a brief but notable episode. Post-war, Herning industrialized, and tourism surged along the coast, fueled by Denmark’s growing prosperity.
- Modernity: Since the 2007 dissolution of Ringkjøbing Amt into Region Midtjylland, the region has balanced tradition and innovation. Ringkøbing embraces its historical charm and renewable energy (via Vestas), Herning thrives as a commercial center, and the west coast sustains both fishing heritage and a booming tourist trade. Projects like Ringkøbing K, a nature-integrated residential development, signal a forward-looking approach.
Top 3 – Ringkøbing Amt
- Ringkøbing Fjord
This massive, shallow fjord—about 300 square kilometers—is the crown jewel of the region. It’s a brakish lagoon framed by reed beds and meadows, with a moody beauty that shifts with the light and weather. The town of Ringkøbing itself sits on its northern shore, a quaint market town with red-brick houses and a harbor that whispers of its 13th-century roots as a bustling port. You can explore the fjord by kayak or bike along its edges, soaking in the quiet and spotting birds like herons or geese. The Hvide Sande canal, dug in the 20th century to reconnect it to the sea, adds a practical twist to its story—once cut off by shifting sands, it’s now alive again. - Stauning Whisky Distillery
Tucked inland near Skjern, this place is a standout for something unexpected in Denmark: world-class whisky. Started in 2005 by a group of friends with a wild idea, Stauning has put Ringkjøbing Amt on the map for more than just its coast. They use local barley and peat from the surrounding heathlands, giving their whiskies a distinct, smoky edge. The distillery’s modern setup contrasts with the rustic landscape, and a tour gets you up close to the process—plus a tasting. It’s a quirky, human-scale success story in a region that’s usually all about nature. - Lyngvig Fyr (Lyngvig Lighthouse)
Perched on the Holmsland Dunes near Hvide Sande, this 38-meter lighthouse is a beacon in every sense. Built in 1906, it’s one of Denmark’s tallest and offers a killer view over the North Sea and the narrow strip separating it from the fjord. The climb up 228 steps is worth it for the panorama—endless dunes, crashing waves, and the flat expanse of Jutland stretching inland. The surrounding area’s a mix of stark beauty and raw power, with wind shaping the dunes and the sea always in play. It’s a perfect taste of the region’s untamed coastal soul.