Ribe is the oldest extant town in Denmark, established in the early eighth century in the Germanic Iron Age. It's located in south-west Denmark, approximately 300 km (186 miles) west of Copenhagen. The town has many well-preserved old buildings, Ribe Cathedral, and about 130 houses are under Heritage Protection. Denmark's oldest town hall is found on the town's Von Støckens Plads. The building was erected in 1496 and was purchased by the city for use as a town hall in 1709. The city's prominent tourists' attraction includes Ribe Cathedral, Ribe Viking Centre, Wadden Sea National Park, and more.