Ferry landing at Færgevej, Svendborg
The Svendborg Sound is narrowest at the former ferry berth for the Vindeby crossing, which is why there has always been a crossing point here between Funen and Tåsinge. Until 1926, the ferry service was a so-called privileged ferry berth owned by the Baron of Valdemar Castle. A ferryman leased the ferry, which provided good income for both him and the baron, but of course also expenses.
In 1871, the baron and the town of Svendborg decided to jointly purchase a new ferry, powered by a steam engine and a paddle wheel on each side. Until then, sailing ferries and large rowing dinghies had been sufficient.
The new ferry was the first steam ferry built in Denmark. It was commissioned in 1873 and operated the ferry service until 1926, when the municipalities of Svendborg and Tåsinge took over the ferry service from the baron. They had a new motor ferry built, three times the size, and it was probably at this time that the ferry berths on both sides were fitted with "gallows" with lift-and-lower bridge flaps to make it easier to handle the many new vehicles - the cars.
By 1946, the capacity of the motor ferry was no longer sufficient to handle the growing traffic - even though the ferry left every 15 minutes. A new ferry was therefore ordered. By 1954, a third ferry was deployed, and in the early 1960s, another one was added. The total of four ferries now carried 1 mill. cars annually. Although the ferries were constantly shuttling back and forth across the narrow strait, there were occasionally kilometer-long queues on both sides of the strait.
On Nov. 18, 1966, the Svendborg Sound Bridge was inaugurated and the crossing between Vindeby and Svendborg closed. The ferries were sold, and gallows and bridge flaps were taken down. Many Vindeby residents who worked in Svendborg lamented the closure of the ferry service. Now they had to cycle five hilly and windy kilometers to get to work. Previously, they had a five-minute rest and chat on the ferry.
In connection with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Svendborg Sound Bridge, the old bridge flap on the Svendborg side was restored and rebuilt to commemorate the once busy ferry site.
