Every design for Svendborg

Svendborg climbs a hillside above Svendborgsund, the strait between southern Funen and Tåsinge, and the water has shaped the town since its first days as a fortification by a natural harbour. It is Funen's second-largest town and a seafaring place to its core: shipyards, shipowners and a busy harbour still define it, and A.P. Møller-Mærsk, the world's largest container shipping company, has its origins here. Its museums range from Naturama, with whales and bears among its stuffed animals, to Danmarks Forsorgsmuseum on social history and Danmarks Museum for Lystsejlads.

From the harbour, ferries run out into Det Sydfynske Øhav, the archipelago south of Funen, to Ærø, Drejø, Skarø and Hjortø, while Svendborgsundbroen carries the road to Tåsinge and Thurødæmningen links the town with Thurø. Svendborgbanen, the railway from Odense, ends here. That position has made Svendborg the trading, education and cultural centre of South Funen. East of town lies Ørkild Voldsted, where townspeople once burned the bishop's castle.

In the old town, the narrow streets, squares and courtyards still lead down towards the water, and the coat of arms shows three red towers above the waves.