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Anne Hvide's House

Svendborg's oldest house: a ochre-yellow Renaissance gem where nobility, hospitality, and history converge.

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Anne Hvide's House is a striking ochre-yellow, half-timbered Renaissance building dating to 1560, making it the oldest private residence in Svendborg. Located on Fruestræde in the heart of the town center, this two-storey structure with its characteristically steep red-tiled roof served as a prestigious inn during the 19th century before being restored and converted into a museum. Today it stands as a tangible link to Svendborg's medieval past, showcasing the architectural heritage and social history of Denmark's Funen island.

A brief summary to Anne Hvide's House

  • Fruestræde 3, Svendborg, 5700, DK
  • +4531412335
  • Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit during summer months when exhibitions relating to Svendborg's history are presented. The house is best appreciated from the street due to limited interior access.
  • Observe the building's characteristic lean and steep 60-degree roof pitch—architectural features that have allowed it to survive five centuries of Danish weather.
  • Note the contrast between the restored ochre-yellow exterior and the black timber framing with patterned brickwork panels, which exemplifies Renaissance craftsmanship.
  • Combine your visit with exploration of Svendborg's town center, where the house's location on Fruestræde places it within walking distance of other medieval and Renaissance-era buildings.
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Getting There

  • Walking from Svendborg Train Station

    From Svendborg Station, walk south through the town center toward the harbour district. The journey takes approximately 8–12 minutes on foot. Follow the main pedestrian routes through the town center, which are well-marked and flat. Anne Hvide's House is located at Fruestræde 3, directly in the historic core. No parking required; the area is pedestrian-friendly with clear signage.

  • Bicycle from Svendborg Town Center

    Svendborg is highly bicycle-friendly with dedicated cycle paths throughout the town. From most central locations, Anne Hvide's House on Fruestræde is within 2–5 minutes by bicycle. Bike rental is available at multiple locations in town, typically ranging from 60–120 DKK per day. Secure bike parking is available near the house.

  • Car with Parking

    If driving, Svendborg town center has several paid parking areas within 100–300 metres of Fruestræde. Street parking and public car parks are available, with typical rates around 20–40 DKK per hour. The house itself is not accessible by car, but parking is straightforward in the surrounding area. Note that the town center is congested during peak hours (10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00).

  • Local Bus Services

    Svendborg is served by regional bus routes connecting to other towns on Funen and beyond. The main bus station is a short walk from Anne Hvide's House. Journey times from nearby towns range from 20–60 minutes depending on origin. Bus fares vary; check local transport authority websites for current pricing. Buses run year-round with reduced frequency in winter months.

Anne Hvide's House location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather

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Discover more about Anne Hvide's House

A Noble Foundation in Renaissance Stone and Timber

Anne Hvide's House emerged from the ambitions of a widow of noble descent who commissioned this elegant structure in 1560. Anne Hvide, the second-to-last member of the famous Hvide clan—a dynasty founded in the 11th century by Skjalm Hvide—built this residence during the height of the Renaissance period. Her husband, nobleman Jesper Friis, was a distinguished military figure who had successfully commanded artillery against the Lübeckers at Karnan near Helsingborg, though he died in 1558, before the house's completion. The building thus became a symbol of both Anne's independent status as a widow of means and her family's enduring prominence in Danish society.

Architectural Mastery of the Renaissance Era

The house exemplifies Renaissance architectural principles with its carefully proportioned eight-bay, two-storey half-timbered design. Black-painted timber frames contrast dramatically with panels of patterned brickwork, creating a visual rhythm that draws the eye upward. The most distinctive feature is the steeply angled red-tiled roof, sloping at a dramatic 60-degree angle—a practical design that sheds water efficiently in Denmark's maritime climate. A shallow cellar provides additional storage space beneath the main floors. The carved wooden door, positioned at the top of four steps with ornate iron railings, opens onto Fruestræde and represents the craftsmanship typical of the period. In 1978, the exterior was restored to its original ochre-yellow colour, a warm hue that gives the building its distinctive bumblebee-like appearance and distinguishes it from the surrounding streetscape.

From Private Manor to Public Inn

Following Anne Hvide's death in 1577, the house passed through the hands of several notable owners, including statesman Niels Krag of Egeskov around 1700 and Vice-admiral Hans Jacob Rostgaard, who died within its walls in 1756—the last nobleman to reside there. The property's trajectory changed significantly in 1809 when Nicolaj Børgesen acquired it. After his death in 1837, his widow Dorothea Svendsen transformed the residence into an inn, where she became renowned as a welcoming hostess and one of Svendborg's most celebrated figures. For three decades, the inn operated as a social hub, gaining a reputation for hospitality that extended well beyond its immediate neighbourhood. This period marked the house's transition from private aristocratic residence to public gathering place.

Preservation and Museum Legacy

When Nicolaj Børgesen's son inherited the property and emigrated to America, he sold it to a local builder named Ludvigsen. The municipality acquired the building in 1900, initially using the attic as an archive and the first floor as the county library, with the mayor's office also occupying space within its walls. In 1912, Svendborg Amts Museum undertook comprehensive restoration work, and the building opened as Svenborg Museum in 1915, presenting exhibitions dedicated to the town's rich history. The museum operated there until 1974, when it relocated to larger premises. Today, Anne Hvide's House remains an integral part of Svendborg's cultural heritage, occasionally hosting summer exhibitions that illuminate the town's past and the lives of its most prominent residents.

Significance Within Svendborg's Urban Fabric

Standing as the oldest private building in Svendborg, Anne Hvide's House occupies a unique position in the town's identity. Its presence on Fruestræde anchors the city center with tangible evidence of five centuries of Danish history. The building's slight lean—a characteristic tilt that adds to its charm—speaks to the natural settling of timber-frame structures over centuries. Positioned in striking contrast to the modernist café that neighbours it, the house embodies the layering of historical periods that defines many European town centres. For visitors and residents alike, it serves as a physical reminder of the merchant families, nobility, and ordinary people whose lives unfolded within its walls.

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