Troense: Seafaring Town, Orchards and Harbour on Thurøsund

Troense is situated on a headland in the eastern part of Tåsinge, overlooking Thurøsund. Its location combines maritime history, protected landscapes and paths through a distinctive historic town.

A seafaring town with a preserved townscape

Troense is a well-preserved seafaring town founded in the 18th century on the initiative of Chamberlain Niels Juel at Valdemars Slot. This historic setting is particularly unique and well preserved along Grønnegade. Visitors can stroll among well-preserved, listed half-timbered houses and experience the town’s characteristic structure at first hand.

Behind the buildings along Grønnegade, apple orchards still stretch across the characteristic narrow plots.

Harbour, shipyard and old school

Troense Harbour lies in a scenic bend of the eastern Svendborgsund near the seafaring town of Troense. Troense’s last shipyard, Troense Træskibsværft, was located at Jacobsens Plads and operated from 1848 to 1985. It is the only surviving shipbuilding site from the earlier period when the region had many wooden shipyards.

Troense’s old school also offers a glimpse into the town’s history: it opened in 1790 for the children of the local seafaring community. The building is located at Strandgade 001, is listed and covered by a registered preservation declaration. Together with the shipyard and the half-timbered houses, the school makes the maritime past visible in several specific places.

Paths through landscape and history

The worthwhile Badstuestien trail leads from Badstuen to Grønnegade. From there, the route can be continued via Præstealléen and Slotsalléen to Valdemars Slot. For longer hiking plans, the 26-kilometre section of the Øhavsstien also passes through the orchard and seafaring town of Troense.

Another landscape connection is formed by Badstuejorden near Troense on TÃ¥singe. The 12-hectare area was protected in 1993 and connects the old seafaring town of Troense with the farmland around Valdemars Slot.

Apples and maritime tradition

Fruit cultivation in Troense can be traced back to the mid-18th century. At that time, landowner Niels Juel established a tree nursery at Valdemars Slot. The apple and fruit-growing tradition is celebrated every year at Æbleræs, an event honouring Troense’s maritime and agricultural history.

Æbleræs takes place every year in October. Old ships from throughout the archipelago are loaded with apples from Troense. During the festival, old wooden ships carry apples collected from the gardens of Troense from Troense Harbour to Svendborg Harbour, where the apples are sold directly from the sides of the ships.

Exploring by bicycle, boat and on foot

Visitors can rent bicycles from the harbourmaster at Troense Harbour. A guided bicycle tour of Tåsinge lasting around two hours leads to historic oaks, including an oak at Stæreodden in Troense. Those who prefer to view the island from the water can plan a trip on the M/S Helge; it lasts around two hours and travels through Svendborgsund along the coasts of southern Funen. In Troense, the harbour is just a few steps from the M/S Helge landing stage.

For a clearly time-specific wellness aspect, the sauna at Dampskibsbadet is also part of the townscape: in 2022, it was open to members and paying guests. Other destinations in the same destination area: Bøsøre, Lundeborg, Vindeby, Bjerreby, Vester Skerninge, Hesselager, Skårupøre, Gudbjerg Sydfyn.

To the overarching travel overview: Svendborg Municipality.