“A royal license from 1805 relocated,” does that sound like magic? It is the story of Sortebro Kro. This isn’t just any building. Sortebro Kro is a piece of Denmark’s past.
Originally, Sortebro Kro stood near the Sortebro bridge. It was on the Vejstrup Å road. That’s 9 km north of Svendborg.
Back then, in 1805, it was called Sortebro Huus. History hints it was a “smugkro” for years. A smuggler’s inn. In 1860, it expanded. Then, it received a royal privilege. This made it an official “krostue,” or inn.
A royal privilege meant more than just serving drinks. The innkeeper could distil spirits. They could brew beer. They could bake bread. Royal inns didn’t have to house soldiers too. Queen Margrethe I wanted inns every four “mil” on Danish roads. That was a horse’s day journey.
Sortebro Kro was an inn and post office until 1920. In 1945, it was rebuilt in Den Fynske Landsby. Now, it shows what an 1800s village inn looked like. Unlike other buildings here, Sortebro Kro isn’t a museum only. It’s a beautifully kept restaurant.
The walls and floors lean charmingly. From the windows, you see Den Fynske Landsby gardens change. The old inn had a cowshed and pigsty. The cowshed is now the restaurant. The pigsty? A modern kitchen where chefs cook daily. Guests enjoy the taste and Funen atmosphere.
You can visit Sortebro Kro without entering Funen Village. The chef creates classic dishes with modern ingredients. Many ingredients come from the town’s gardens. Sortebro Kro is known as one of Odense’s best restaurants.
So, Sortebro Kro moved. It transformed. It became a living piece of history and a gourmet destination. It stands as a testament to Danish tradition and culinary excellence.