Det Gamle Værft – The Old Shipyard of Ærøskøbing

Harbour-side window into Ærø’s seafaring past

Det Gamle Værft sits directly on Ærøskøbing’s historic harbour, where low timber buildings, cranes and boat slips evoke centuries of island shipbuilding. The Old Shipyard grew out of this working waterfront, preserving the feel of an active yard rather than a traditional museum. Step inside and you are surrounded by the smell of tar, rope and fresh-cut wood, with tools, workbenches and half-finished projects hinting at the rhythms of maritime life. The setting connects you immediately to the South Funen Archipelago, where small wooden vessels once carried goods, livestock and people between tiny islands and mainland ports. Here you see how those boats were maintained and repaired, and how crucial the harbour was to Ærø’s prosperity and identity.

Hands-on craft, metalwork and maritime skills

Unlike many static exhibitions, Det Gamle Værft is designed as an experience venue, inviting you to explore traditional skills close up. On selected days, the forge glows as blacksmiths shape hooks, hinges and decorative ironwork, while elsewhere copper sheets, rivets and tongs reveal how fittings and small items were made for ships. Woodworking benches display planes, chisels and clamps used in wooden hull construction. Workshops sometimes introduce techniques like simple forging, copper jewellery, rope and knot work or rune stamping, making the heritage tangible for children and adults alike. Even when no organised activity is running, the layout and tools give a clear sense of how demanding and collaborative shipyard work once was.

The Old Shipyard shop and maritime wardrobe

Attached to the yard is a characterful shop dedicated to seafaring style and archipelago-inspired goods. Racks of sturdy, navy-blue workwear echo the garments worn by travelling craftsmen of the 1800s, alongside practical clothing suited to sailing, coastal walks and island holidays. The textiles and cuts reflect Scandinavia’s working heritage rather than fashion trends. Shelves are lined with maritime souvenirs ranging from postcards and small model boats to macramé pieces by renowned knot expert Jørgen Friis Christensen, as well as knives, hooks and hardware forged on site. Local producers contribute knitwear, sweets and artwork, turning the shop into a mini showcase of Ærø’s creative community and sea-facing culture.

A social, community-focused venue

Det Gamle Værft also functions as a socio-economic project for the island, combining cultural preservation with community engagement. The shipyard provides a framework for learning-by-doing, where volunteers, craftspeople and visitors meet around tangible tasks. This mix of education, heritage and social purpose gives the place a warm, informal tone. You may find conversations drifting from the technicalities of clinker-built hulls to stories about local skippers, storms and island traditions. The emphasis is on curiosity and participation rather than formal interpretation, making it approachable for families, small groups and solo travellers alike.

Part of a wider Ærøskøbing experience

Because it stands right on Ærøskøbing Havn, a visit to Det Gamle Værft naturally links with a stroll among the colourful 18th‑century houses, cobbled streets and nearby harbour cafés. Wooden boats bob just outside, and the low skyline reminds you that Ærø remains a small, sea-oriented island. Many visitors combine an hour or two at the shipyard with time in the town square, the beach cabins at Vesterstrand or other local museums. In all seasons, the Old Shipyard offers a compact yet vivid insight into how the sea has shaped daily life here. Whether you are drawn by craft, history or simply the atmosphere of a working harbour, it adds a distinctive maritime layer to any exploration of Ærø.