An Island Inn with a Fascinating History

The Thomsen family have breathed new life into old walls in Havneby

From: Jürgen Rust: Trauminseln im Norden (Dream Islands in the North) – Sylt, Amrum, Föhr und Rømø. Edition limosa, 2011, pp. 234–235.

In 1644 Denmark and Sweden were at war. Off Kolbyhede (Colberg Heath) near Ballum the enemy fleets were sailing towards each other. The Danish King Christian IV was the Commander of the battleship Trefoldigheden (Trinity). On board were six barrels of Broyhan from the royal brewery, which the King had sent for “for the Royal Court.” On 1^st July 1644 the Danes came upon the Swedish-Dutch fleet off Colburg Heath. The Danish fleet led by Christian IV had a major advantage: they knew the state of the tides and waited. The Swedes lay in the List Deep and were caught by the turn of the tide.

It was a hard and bloody battle. Christian IV fell to the ground; everyone thought he was dead and they wanted to surrender. Later on it turned out that the King had merely lost an eye. A particularly brave seaman from Ballum saved them from defeat. He carried on fighting. The battle was won; the victory was celebrated with Broyhan. Christian IV rewarded the brave seaman Gram from Ballum with the sole right to run a ferry service from Ballum – Røm. Later, he granted him permission to build Havneby Kro.

For over 300 years (until 1986), the inn remained in the possession of the Gram-Schmidt family. It is now owned by the Thomsen family. Helle, who runs the inn, is in the 13^th generation of her family (Möller/Thomsen) on Rømø.

The current owner bought Havneby Kro some years ago, together with her father Sigurd. The Thomsens are natives of Rømø and also run riding stables with boarding for horses just a kilometre away towards the beach.

This is reflected in what Havneby Kro has to offer: with Helle you can book the very popular short holidays for riders, consisting of a package with board and lodging in the Kro plus rented horse.

Over the last few years the somewhat run-down fisherman’s pub has turned into a jewel of a friendly Kro, just what guests from near and far imagine a typically Danish inn to be like. Having been completely refurbished, the guestrooms are now light and inviting.

We also offer family rooms with a double bed and a cosy sleeping loft. The rooms are on the first floor with private shower and WC and, depending on the location of the room, have a lovely view over the harbour, the Wadden Sea and Havneby. Dogs are allowed in three rooms. The hotel always has an interesting deal for guests wishing to stay for several nights. There are also comfortable holiday cottages that can be booked via the Kro.

Our restaurant Zanzibar was the first part of the Kro to be renovated and was soon an attraction on the island with its home-style cooking and afternoon coffee. Generous portions, as Helle knows, having trained as a cook and confectioner in Stuttgart years ago, are always popular with her guests. A hearty fish stew, a steak grilled to taste with a variety of side dishes, zander filets or cod on spinach with a spicy sauce. You can feast on all these and much more at Havneby Kro.

The Kro can serve 150 guests, in case coach parties or events are to be catered for. It goes without saying that the entrance area and toilets are accessible to people with disabilities.

If you are already on Rømø or planning a visit, come and see Havneby Kro for yourself! It’s worth it!