Things To Do in AEroskobing

Ærøskøbing Kirke, Søndergade 43 (tel. 62-52-11-72), was built between 1756 and 1758 to replace a rather dilapidated church from the Middle Ages. In the present reconstructed church, the 13th-century font and the pulpit stem from the original structure, and were donated by Duke Philip of Lyksborg in 1634, the year he bought Gråsten County on the island of Ærø. The year before, he had inherited the market town of Ærøskøbing and an estate in Vodrup. The altarpiece is a copy of Eckersberg's picture hanging in Vor Frue Kirke in Svendborg. The colors selected for the interior of the church, along with the floral motifs, were the creation of Elinar V. Jensen in connection with an extensive restoration project carried out in 1950. The church can be visited every day 8am to 5pm; admission is free.

Flaskeskibssamlingen, Smedegade 22 (tel. 62-52-29-51), is a nautical museum dedicated to the seafaring life documented by Peter Jacobsen's ships in bottles, which represent his life's work. Upon his death in 1960, at the age of 84, this former cook, nicknamed "Bottle Peter," had crafted more than 1,600 bottled ships and some 150 model sailing vessels built to scale, earning him the reputation in Ærøskøbing of "the ancient mariner." The museum also has Ærø clocks, furniture, china, and carved works by sculptor H. C. Petersen. Admission is DKK25 ($4.30/£2.50) adults, DKK10 ($1.70/£1) children 3 to 15, free for children 2 and under; open daily 10am to 5pm.

Ærø Museum, Brogade 35 (tel. 62-52-29-50), is the best local museum, found at the corner of Nørregade and Brogade. In the old days it was inhabited by the bailiff, but today you'll find a rich exhibit of the island's past. The collection includes antiques and paintings from the mid-1800s. It's open Monday to Friday March 19 to October 22, 10am to 4pm; off-season hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm. Admission is DKK20 ($3.40/£2).

Of minor interest, Hammerichs Hus, Gyden 22 (tel. 62-52-29-50; www.arremus.dk), at the corner of Brogade and Gyden, is the home of sculptor Genner Hammerich and now a museum with a collection of his art and tiles. The half-timbered house also has period furnishings, antiques, and china, all gathered by the artist in Funen and Jutland. In one of the rooms you'll find a pair of porcelain dogs, which were brought home from England by sailors. Prostitutes placed these dogs on their windowsills; if the dogs faced each other, callers were welcome. Because prostitutes were not allowed to charge for their "favors," they sold the dogs to their customers instead. It's said that the North Sea is paved with porcelain dogs that the sailors did not dare bring home. It's open June to August, daily noon to 4pm; admission is DKK25 ($4.30/£2.50).