The port of Svendborg lies in the southeast of the island of Funen, on the banks of Svendborg Sound. A ferry links the town with the island of Ero to the south. Off the coast is a nature reserve.
In 2000 Svendborg was declared "Town of the year" in Denmark. Svendborg is the official home of SIMAC education, which has set new standards for training seagoing officers. The new concept behind SIMAC is based on a dual purpose role for officers, who should be able to go watch in the engine compartment and on the bridge. Svendborg also houses nursing-, teacher education- and business schools.
The largest container ship company in the world, A.P. Moller-Maersk has its origins in Svendborg, in the "Villa Anna", and it remains in the hands of Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller.
Svendborg also houses the museum "Naturama" which is very popular among children. The museum has exhibitions of all kinds of stuffed animals e.g. birds and bears.
The town's oldest charter dates from 1253. In the Middle Ages Svendborg had trade links with the Hanseatic towns and with the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. During the "Counts' Wars" (1534-6) Orkid Castle in the east of the town was burned down. In the 17th C. Svendborg suffered great destruction as a result of the wars with Sweden. The 19th C. was a period of prosperity. In 1966 the bridge across Svendborg Sound was completed.
