Ebeltoft Things to Do

Several of the oldest buildings are now restaurants and galleries, so they are open to the public. Ebeltoft has attracted a community of artists, especially those who work with glass. Here in the picture is an old bakery.

The town of Ebeltoft was chartered in 1301 by King Erik Menved. The municipal charter gave Ebeltoft the right to engage in trade and artisan work. It will celebrate its 700th birthday soon. The town itself is hundreds of years older than its official beginning, and for many years was very poor. Because the seamen and artisans that lived there had no money to build new houses, many of the town's buildings are patched rather than rebuilt and still look essentially as they did centuries ago.

It is well worth the time and effort to stroll through Ebeltoft's narrow streets and see the homes built in the 1600s and 1700s. A lack of pedestrian traffic makes the journey more pleasant. Also, many older Danish homes have brightly-painted multicolor doors and window sills.

Sometimes the small churches are as interesting, and sometimes more so, than the larger churches in the large European cities, some of which tend to be a bit overrated. This little church is packed with history, and its origins date back to around the late 1300s and early 1400s. The great thing about Scandanavian churches is that many have their foundations dating at or within the first few hundred years of Christianity!

One photo does not do this church justice...I'll have about 5 or 6 good ones of the inside. Some of the pre-Reformation frescos have been restored, as well as an altar and a hanging ship (very Danish!) dating from the 1500s. The benches inside date from 1680 as well. More to come.

The harbour boasts a classic tall ship, the history of which escapes me, but there are some restaurants and shops, but more importantly, fishing boats! Fishing boats give the harbour a bit more of an industrial feel, which makes you feel like you're in a real harbour!

More about the ship on my next visit!

You have to part with a few kroner, but the friendly people in the old town hall will explain some of the history of Ebeltoft.

Built in 1789, the town hall was only in use as a town hall until 1840..afterwards, it became a restaurant and had other uses. Finally it was restored in more recent times, and there is even a jail you can visit in the cellar of the building.

A lovely old restored warship from the days of sail, built in 1864.

For non-speakers of Danish, you pronounce this ship's name "you-land"

Amazing!