The Island of Ven - A Summer Paradise for Cyclists and Yachtsmen

Ven (Hven in Danish) was made famous by astronomer Tycho Brahe, who lived and worked on the then Danish 7.5 km² island, which lies in the middle of Øresund. In 1658 the Danes were forced to cede Ven to Sweden, together with Scania and some other parts of the present southern Sweden.

Fishing and shipping have been the traditional sources of livelihood on the island. In the end of the 19th century several small brick factories were founded on the the northeastern shore, which led to a temporary increase in the island's population, with the record number of 1300 permanent residents in the 1930s. However, with the closing down of the brick factories, the population began to decrease. In 1954 it was 657 - in 2012 there were 356 permanent residents on the island, which is part of the city of Landskrona.

Today Ven is above all a summer paradise for cyclists and yachtsmen as well as other holidaymakers.

Below is a selection of images I shot during my visit to Ven yesterday:

The Uraniborg is one of the modern ferries operating between Ven and Landskrona. Ventrafiken also operates a service between Copenhagen and Ven. 

The highest point (39 m) of the island is close to the southern tip.

The ferries operate from the small community of Bäckviken on the eastern coast of Ven.

Bicycles are the preferred means of communication on Ven.

You do not need to bring your own bicycle, there are excellent yellow bikes, like this one, to rent.

Arriving by boat is a memorable experience on a beautiful summer day.

You need to navigate carefully when entering the marinas.

A Danish yacht arriving at Kyrkbacken.

The Kyrkbacken marina was full of boats yesterday.

Another view of the marina.

St Ibb's Church, is located at the top of a hill, with a wonderful view over to the Danish side.

The beaches are a popular choice for visitors on a warm summer day.

Some of the old fishing huts are now restaurants.

An old house in the middle of the island.

Roses nicely decorate the walls of this house.

Another house with roses.

Where ever you go, you are surrounded by greenery.

This is the view from the Church of St Ibb's to the north, with Helsingør and Helsingborg
in the background.

A great day of sailing off the island of Ven.

The Swedish yacht Julia going southward, with the port of Landskrona in the background.

A Danish yacht meets the ferry Uraniborg off Ven.

Ven is also an excellent location for shipspotters ...

PS
Just in case you are interested, there is a fine whisky distillery on the island, the Spirit of Hven. At the distillery, which also runs a restaurant and a hotel, you can taste the local whisky as well as local organic vodka and gin.