Visitor interest soars at Denmark’s UNESCO-listed ring forts following heritage designation

Interest in visiting Denmark’s five ring forts has surged following their addition to UNESCO’s World Heritage List one year ago. The ring forts, including Aggersborg near Løgstør, have seen a significant increase in visitors, with over 40,000 people visiting since February, according to the development manager at Vesthimmerlands Museum.

Trelleborg, located near Slagelse, has reported a 50% increase in guests compared to the same period last year, particularly attracting international tourists. Museums at these sites are pleased to see more people becoming familiar with Viking history. Fyrkat, near Hobro, experienced a modest increase in visitor numbers, achieving eight percent growth and welcoming guests from 58 different nationalities this year.

While the sites are celebrating their anniversaries, they also acknowledge unmet expectations to significantly boost visitor numbers. Fyrkat’s management expressed a desire for more tourists, as initial hopes were to substantially multiply the attendance following their UNESCO designation.

Plans are in place to enhance visitor experiences, including the development of a large interpretation center within the next ten years to provide guests with richer educational opportunities during their visits. Vesthimmerlands Museum emphasized that improvements take time and that the UNESCO designation brings both responsibility and the need for significant investment in preservation and communication efforts.

For a site to be included on the World Heritage List, it must demonstrate outstanding universal value and meet at least one of ten specific selection criteria, which encompass cultural, historical, and natural significance.