Nexø
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Nexø, sometimes spelled Neksø (Swedish: Nexö), is a town on the east coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark. With a population of 3,674 (as of 1 January 2023),[1] it is the second largest town, as well as the largest fishing port on the island. Fishing was previously the mainstay of the town's economy. Nexø is also the site of a distillery (Bornholmske Spiritfabrik ApS) and a mustard factory (Bornholmersennep ApS). The town is also a port of call for the passenger ferries linking Bornholm with Kołobrzeg in Poland.[2] Dueodde, the largest beach on Bornholm, is located south of Nexø, in the southeastern corner of the island.
Etymology
"Nexø" is possibly a combination of the
History
Nexø originated as a fishing village for the parish of
Around 1800, the town became Bornholm's administrative centre. In 1806, 21 ships and 47 boats were registered with Nexø as their home port. In 1879, a new harbour basin was completed and, in 1892, Denmark's first communal drydock was opened. There were a number of subsequent extensions to the harbour facilities.[4] The 19th century also saw the development of ship building, the foundation of an iron foundry (1864) and of the Østbornholmske Dampskibsselskab (East Bornholm Steamship Company) which operated a regular service to Copenhagen from 1877.[3]
At the end of
Between 1900 and 1968, a railway connected Nexø with Rønne, the island's largest town.
Landmarks
Nexø Church, dating back to the late Middle Ages, stands out with its half-timbered tower and copper spire. In the 18th century, it was enlarged as a result of Nexø's prosperity from exporting fish and sandstone to Copenhagen. It has recently been renovated and redecorated.[7]
Nexø Museum in the harbour area is housed in a historic sandstone building from 1796 which was the town hall until 1856 when it was replaced with a new building in Købmagergade. Around 1890, an extra storey was added.[4] The museum opened in 1970. Exhibitions include coverage of the German occupation, the Soviet bombing and occupation after the war. There are documents and artefacts from Nexø's earlier businesses, including its sandstone quarry and the old brewery.[8] The Bornholm Railway Museum recreates the atmosphere of an old station with exhibits from Bornholm's railways which operated from 1900 to 1968. Of particular interest is a renovated mail car.[9]
Nexø is home to Bornholm Butterfly Park where over a thousand brightly coloured butterflies fly around in a former hothouse.[10]
The town today
The town is centred on the harbour and the shopping area. Activity in the harbour area has increasingly moved away from fish processing to be replaced by new businesses, stores, and restaurants. Retail businesses in Nexø have benefitted from a growing number of tourists from the summer house developments to the south as well as from a reduction in facilities in the surrounding villages. There is a pleasant shopping area between the central square and the harbour. Nexø's services include a large school, library, an old people's home and various sports facilities.[11]
Surrounding area
To the south of Nexø there are the beach resorts of Balka, Snogebæk and Dueodde, all famous for their fine white sand. Snogebæk has an attractive little harbour area while Dueodde is home to the island's tallest lighthouse.
Twin towns
Gallery
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Nexø Church
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The old smokehouse
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Nexø Museum
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Street scene
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Nexø, Købmagergade, Amtsgården
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Bakkemøllen
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Harbour
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Dueodde beach
55°03′45″N 15°07′55″E / 55.06250°N 15.13194°E
References
- ^ BY3: Population 1st January by urban areas, area and population density The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark
- ^ zegluga.pl (in Polish)
- ^ a b c d e "Nexø", Den Store Danske. (in Danish) Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "Nexø som helhed", Bornholm: Atlas over byer, bygninger og miljøer. (in Danish) Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Outlook on Bornholm". Russia Today Newsletter. 1948.
- ^ Ann Vibeke Knudsen: DBJ – Historien om Jernbanerne på Bornholm. Bornholms Museum 2007
- ^ "Nexø Kirke", Kirkehistorie.dk. (in Danish) Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ "Nexø Museum" Archived 27 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. (in Danish) Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Om Bornholm" Archived 21 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Enjoy Bornholm. (in Danish) Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "Bornholm Butterfly Part" Archived 23 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Enjoy Bornholm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "202 - Nexø" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Bornholms Regionskommune. (in Danish) Retrieved 11 November 2012.
External links
Media related to Nexø at Wikimedia Commons