Avernakö

Avernak Island is situated in the South Funen Archipelago, and is reached by a ferry out of Faaborg. Crossing time: 30 mins., or 70, whenever the route includes a call at the island of Lyø. The apprx. 600 HA island is the home of between 110-120 residents. During the last few years, especially several child-raising families have settled. The island's school has been discontinued, so the children must resort to the nearby island of Lyø.
Agriculture is the island's main source of income, and only a few families still subsist on fishing. Originally, Avernak Island was two seperate islands, "Korshavn" and "Avernak". In 1937, however, the two islands were connected by a dam, named "Drejet" ("The Turn"), due to its peculiar shape. 
Boaters electing to moor at the new boating harbour at Avernak Island, can expect very good accomodation, either in the 50 available booths next to the harbour outlet, or the 25 booths of Korshavn Bridge.
Avernak Island offers the opportunity of splendid hikes, or even bicycle-rides, since Korshavn Bridge contains a bicycle rental commodity. The idyllic Avernak Island Inn with the splendid sea view, is the only restaurant on the island. A single grocery store lies near-by. About 30 summer houses, and good holiday apartments at "Ø-BO" offer sleeping accomodations.

Splendid views and bird-song!
Due to its elongated shape Avernak Island's coast line measures 19 km, with excellent sand-beaches and fishing waters. The trip over "Bjergs Banke" by the island's windmill, offers a wide view. To the left aross the island you will see the church and the coasts of Funen, to the right the islands of Als an Lyø looking right, you'll see the island of Ærø with the Skjoldnæs light-house. In marshes and meadows there is a very rich bird-life. Also, certain water-holes offer the added attraction of seeing - but especially hearing - the rare frog species, the "Bell"-frog.

May Trees and relics of antiquity.

Famous landmarks of Avernak Island are the May Tree and May Pole of Avernak and Munke, respectively. The significance of those are to strengthen fertility, and they are the centerpieces of several traditions and rites. The Avernak May Tree is the largest, and in its shape the most original and unique in Denmark. Once a year, lent saturday, the townsmen gather around it, bringing 6 pairs of poles. The stones at the base of the Tree are removed, the Tree let down an tarred; in the evening it is decorated with flowers and newly-sprung leaves. When the tree has been re-erected, the Flag is hoisted. Apart from the island of Strynø, the May Tree tradition survives only on Avernak Island. The rites' continuation means that the old Town Guild is still alive. The office of Alderman alternates between the farmers of the township. Besides the supervising the flag-hoisting, the Alderman is in charge of the Town Horn. The Horn of Munke is the oldest, dating from 1787. The Horn of Avernak dates from the beginning of the 1800s. In 1685, in a location since known as "Golden Acres", one of the Munke copyholders had the good fortune to find one of the island's most distinguished ancient relics, in the shape of 6 golden bowls from the bronze age, richly decorated with sun symbols. The treasure is now deposited at the National Museum in Copenhagen.