Assens The merchant port at the heart of Little Belt

Ever since Medieval times, Assens has been the ferry port between Copenhagen and Hamburg. Livestock, post and just about everything else imaginable has been shipped to southern Jutland via this merchant port at the heart of the Little Belt.

The old town with its quaint streets and buildings from times gone by, tells its own story of a busy life down through the centuries. The Grevens Fejde (the Danish civil war) in 1535 was responsible for Assens being razed to the ground, and the war against the Swedish in 1658 led to extensive damage to the town, when the Swedish army crossed the frozen sound to attack. The town was the birthplace of seafaring war hero Peter Willemoes, whoes home now is a museum. His statue stands and gazes out over the sea from his memorial by the harbour. He made his reputation in the sea battle against the English off Copenhagen in 1801. His brave efforts against the legendary Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson became renowned throughout Denmark.

Today, Assens is a peaceful oasis in a busy world. The harbour is still an active part of the port's life, and the main street is one of the most attractive in the country, where you will find a treasure trove of shops of all sizes clustered together in the most delightful way. In recent years, the street has been tastefully restored, preserving the charm of days gone by with modem efficiency. The old houses and merchant's courtyards are huddled together, often leaning up against each other as if they were gazing out over the harbour, the source of wealth and prosperity for Westfunen.