Kulturlandskab Oddesund

Oddesund North, Thyholm and Venø Harbour

GOAL no. 11, 14, 17

Cultural and military history and the natural landscape of the Limfjord embodied in four small-scale projects initiated by local residents on the Thyholm peninsula and the island of Venø.

Danish islands face depopulation at a faster rate than rural areas on the mainland. In an effort to survive, some islands are enhancing and highlighting their cultural heritage and nature experiences with dedicated locals playing a crucial role.

Oddesund is a narrow strait with a strategic location on the Limfjord. The surrounding area is characterized by natural landscapes and a rich history of everyday life, fishing and times of war and crisis. Together, four projects dedicated to each of these aspects, offer a coherent perspective on site-specific development under the joint title Kulturlandskab Oddesund (Cultural Landscape Oddesund).

The four projects in brief: 1) Two bunkers from WWII transformed into Regelbau 411, an art centre dedicated to experimental audio, light and video art. The concrete architecture produces characteristic acoustics and a sensory experience with distinct contrasts. 2) Oddesund Tower, a viewing tower with a focus on local nature and history. The tower is a popular destination and serves as a landmark for UNESCO Global Geopark West Jutland. 3) Restoration and renovation of one of the oldest buildings in the areas, ‘Garnhuset’ (the Net House) from the mid-19th century. The house is open to visitors and tells the story of local fishing practices. The site where the fishermen tarred their cotton fishing nets to keep them from rotting has also been conserved. 4) Denmark’s oldest wooden car ferry still in operation, Venøsund, from 1931. The ferry previously connected the island of Venø to the mainland, but is now used as a sailing cultural platform, including educational trips.

Together, these four projects demonstrate how small-scale local initiatives can build on local identity and cultural heritage to strengthen and promote communities in sparsely populated areas.

Project details

Where: Oddesund Nord, 7790 Thyholm and Venø Harbour (the Venøsund culture ferry)

Completed/transformed: Art centre Regelbau 411, transformed 2018; Oddesund Tower, completed 2018; Garnhuset/Tjærestedet (Net House/Tarring Site), restored 2022; Venøsund, transformed and renovated 2011 Client and initiators: Struer Municipality, Struer Museum, Culture Landscape Oddesund, Oddesund Nord Beboerforening, Geopark West Jutland, Venøsund Færgelaug, Garnhuset: restoration by Struer Kommune Architects and advisors: LABLAND (Master Plan Oddesund); MNT Arkitekter (Oddesund Tower); Per Yde and Oddesund Beboerforening (restoration of Garnhuset); COLORCLOUDSTUDIO (transformation of Venøsund)