Galgebakken

A Dark Chapter in Danish History

Galgebakken, or Gallows Hill, sits on the outskirts of Ribe as a stark memorial to one of Denmark's most troubling historical episodes. Between 1572 and 1652, the town of Ribe witnessed 22 witch trials, resulting in eleven executions—a concentration of witch hunts that earned Ribe the grim distinction of being Denmark's answer to Salem. The site itself became the stage for these tragic events, where accused witches were brought to face their final moments. The most infamous execution at Galgebakken occurred on November 9, 1641, when Maren Spliid, a wealthy tailor's wife, was burned at the stake. Her case exemplifies the hysteria and injustice of the era. Spliid was initially accused by a nobleman named Didrik, who claimed she and two other witches had visited him in the night and blown into his mouth, causing him to vomit an object he believed to be of supernatural origin. Though initially acquitted by local courts and supported by her husband, the case was reopened by King Christian IV himself. Under torture in the Blue Tower of Copenhagen Castle, Spliid eventually confessed and named six other women as part of her supposed coven. She was then transported back to Ribe for public execution.

The Witch Hunt Era and Royal Involvement

The witch trials in Ribe occurred almost entirely during the reign of King Christian IV, who passed a law making witchcraft a criminal offense. The king's personal involvement in cases like Spliid's—even presiding over her trial at the highest court—demonstrates how deeply the witch hunt hysteria penetrated Danish society, reaching even the monarchy. The first execution in Ribe, Johanne Christensdatter Rygge, took place in 1572, while the last, Anna Bruds, occurred in 1652. With Christian IV's death, the fervor surrounding witchcraft accusations gradually subsided, though executions continued elsewhere in Denmark until 1693. The trials were marked by procedures that violated even Denmark's own laws. Torture, officially prohibited by a Danish statute from 1547, was routinely employed to extract confessions. The accused faced impossible odds: Spliid was required to find fifteen character witnesses to swear her innocence—a task she could not accomplish in a climate of fear and suspicion.

Public Spectacle and Community Impact

Executions at Galgebakken were public events that drew enormous crowds. Contemporary accounts suggest that so many people gathered to witness Maren Spliid's execution that the priest could barely move through the throng. Before her execution, Spliid was given half a pitcher of mead to calm her nerves—a grim courtesy before she was tied to a ladder and thrown into the flames. These public executions served as warnings to the community and reinforced the fear that sustained the witch hunt hysteria. The impact on Ribe's social fabric was profound. The trials touched families across the town, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and dread. The memorial tablet now set into the wall of the house where Maren Spliid lived with her tailor husband serves as a quiet acknowledgment of this tragedy, reminding visitors of the human cost of mass hysteria.

Remembrance and Historical Significance

Today, Galgebakken stands as a place of reflection and remembrance. The site has no elaborate monuments or visitor infrastructure—its power lies in its simplicity and the weight of history it carries. For those interested in understanding the darker aspects of European history, Galgebakken offers a tangible connection to the witch hunt era. The location is particularly meaningful for those studying the intersection of politics, religion, and justice in early modern Europe, as the Danish trials demonstrate how royal authority and legal systems could be weaponized against the vulnerable. Ribe itself has embraced its complex history, with museums and walking tours dedicated to exploring the witch trials and their victims. The HEX Museum of Witch Hunt, located in the town, provides deeper context and documentation of these events. Visiting Galgebakken as part of a broader exploration of Ribe allows visitors to understand how a prosperous medieval trading town became the site of one of Northern Europe's most significant witch hunts.