Ertebjerg combines an unusual natural feature with a distinctive local and cultural history: the Ertebjerg Hvidtjørn hawthorn grows in a dolmen chamber, while Barnakhøj is a freestanding dolmen chamber. Other aspects include the historic name Ertberge, a farm grant from 1454 and a former motorboat route. If you are interested in local history, natural features, archaeological heritage, local and property history, and transport history can all be found side by side here.

Hawthorn and dolmen chamber

The Ertebjerg Hvidtjørn is a hawthorn that grows in a dolmen chamber. This combination of plant and chamber makes it botanically and archaeologically interesting. The hawthorn has been protected since 1958. It is in a field just outside Ertebjerg, opposite the last houses on Rymosevej. The protection order does not include public access to the site.

Barnakhøj: a freestanding chamber

Barnakhøj is a freestanding dolmen chamber in the cadastral area of Ertebjerg. This clearly distinguishes the monument from the Ertebjerg Hvidtjørn: a hawthorn grows in a chamber there, while Barnakhøj is defined by the freestanding chamber itself. Thus, the shared term “dolmen chamber” refers to two different descriptions: for the Hvidtjørn, it is the connection with the hawthorn; for Barnakhøj, it is the freestanding form.

Place name, farm and settlement history

Ertebjerg is documented under the historic name Ertberge from 1454. Also in 1454, Duke Adolf granted Ertebjerggård to Peter Stot and his son Jesse for life. The year offers two different perspectives: the historic form of the place name and a specific farm grant with its recipients. The shared year makes it possible to compare them without equating the place name with the property transaction. The area’s settlement history also includes an agricultural cooperative dairy founded in 1895 and an inn. The dairy points to the area’s agricultural history, while the inn marks another historic local institution.

Ertebjerghav and the former motorboat route

Another historical layer relates to transport. After reunification in 1920, there was a bridge at Ertebjerghav for the motorboat “Dania.” The boat operated a route between Fåborg, Ærø, Lyø, Mommark, Ertebjerghav and Voigt Strand. Ertebjerghav is one of the explicitly named places on this former connection. Alongside the history of the place name and the farm, there is therefore a specific historic transport route whose course includes several place and island names.

Scenery along the Alsstien

A municipal leaflet from December 2009 describes an 11 km section of the Alsstien between Fynshav and Mommark. The route crosses fields, follows hedgerows, passes through woodland and runs along the beach; it offers views across the Little Belt towards Funen and Ærø. Unlike the individual cultural history topics, this is a named route section with a specified length and varied scenery. As path conditions can change, check the current route before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Rinkenæs, Bredsten, Oksbøl, Høruphav, Dalsgård, Asserballeskov, Fynshav, Hardeshøj

Back to the main travel overview: Sønderborg Municipality.