The museums of Ærø

THE MUSEUMS

OF ÆRØ

ÆRØ MUSEUM Ærø Museum’s cultural and historical exhibition entitled “Ærø – our island” is devoted to narratives and artefacts representing centuries of life on Ærø . The exhibition takes you on a journey back through time: from present day life on the island to the rural society of ages past . As the journey unfolds, you encounter a number of key topics in the history of the island, from the wedding tourism of modern times, to Ærø as a part of the Duchy of Schleswig before the defeat at Dybbøl in 1864 . The exhibition reveals why the people of Ærø head for the beach to boil eggs on Easter Saturday . It also tells the story behind the island’s two local flags . A visit to the museum garden (in its 1920 form) provides a fine impression of a greener, more fertile Ærøskøbing, which is otherwise hidden away from the world in the closed courtyards of the town . The exhibition has received warm praise from visitors on account of its wonderful stories and its atmosphere .

HAMMERICH'S HUS On the corner of Brogade and Gyden, you can visit the red house that is one of the best-preserved eighteenth century timber-framed houses in Ærøskøbing . The building has also retained its original interior, with narrow staircases and an old fireplace . The house was filled with life and laughter after it was purchased by sculptor Gunnar Hammerich (1893–1977) who furnished it with an impressive collection of antiquities, including 3,000 Dutch tiles, Kellinghusen faience and other household utensils from the South Funen Archipelago and Southern Jutland in the period 1600–1800 . Hammerich's Hus is a monument to the development of Ærøskøbing over the course of the twentieth century . SØBYGAARD Søbygaard Manor is a testament to Ærø’s noble history: the island was actually a part of the Duchy of Southern Jutland until 1867 . The farm was originally built by Duke Hans the Younger (1545–1622) as a part of a huge estate complex . The main building and the more recent farm buildings are seated on two artificial islands,

HAMMERICHS HUS

ÆRØ MUSEUM

SØBYGAARD

clad in impressive stonework . Søbygaard stands next to a mediaeval embankment built in the twelfth century, from the top of which there is a magnificent view out over Vitsø Lake and the island of Als . During the summer, the manor hosts a variety of activities for children and adults alike through the Kys Frøen (Kiss the Frog) centre . For details, see page 16-17 . Exhibitions and concerts The main building and the barn host changing special exhibitions in the summer months . The concert hall is decorated with works by the celebrated artist Sven Havsteen Mikkelsen; they are actually the designs for glass mosaics that now adorn a number of Nordic churches . Sven Havsteen-Mikkelsen lived the last 25 years of his life in Øster Bregningemark, which is not far from Søbygaard . During the summer, the hall is the venue for concerts of classical music performed by musicians from Denmark and abroad . For a full list, see visitaeroe .com/events .

MARSTAL MARITIME MUSEUM Marstal Maritime Museum is the place to go for a good helping of nautical fun and adventure! Here, you can experience what it is like to sail on an authentic yacht, climb to the top of a ship’s mast, or

STOCKS ON MARSTAL HARBOUR

MARSTAL MARITIME MUSEUM

recline in the saloon on a steam-powered ferry . The museum has more than 300 model ships as well as a wealth of remarkable artefacts brought home by sailors from their travels on the seven seas – a shrunken head, for example, which is also mentioned in Carsten Jensen’s bestselling novel Vi, de druknede (We, the drowned) . There is also a comprehensive collection of works by J . E . C . Rasmussen, famed for his paintings of seascapes and Greenland . The museum organises fun activities for children in the school holidays (see page 16) .

Eriksens Plads Eriksens Plads (Square) is something of seedbed for wooden shipbuilding, and here you will find a partially constructed schooner that stands as a sculptural symbol of the comprehensive shipyard activity that has dominated the town . The boat-builder’s hall is open when the doors are open, and the motor shed is open when the motor is running . The whole area is a delightful little oasis with a barbecue site, benches and tables .

DET GAMLE VÆRFT Det Gamle Værft (The Old Shipyard) comprises living workshops, where both children and adults can experience the

THE OLD SHIPYARD

history of seafaring right up close and get their hands dirty, too (for details, see page 17) . The focus here is on the processes used to build the old, riveted iron and steel ships, an intricate craft that was common more than a century ago . Out behind the slipway, for instance, you will find the riveted steel ferry M/S Angelo formerly the S/S Svendborgsund from 1907, which once sailed the Marstal–Rudkøbing–Strynø route laden with passengers and cargo . Both the experiences and the exhibitions at Det Gamle Værft are constantly changing and developing, and a variety of restoration tasks are under way .

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT THE MUSEUMS OF ÆRØ? Check their opening hours on page 48 and find out more about them at visitaeroe .com/museums . For information about special exhibitions, guided tours and so on, see visitaeroe .com/events .