Nexø

Nexø, sometimes spelled Neksø, is a town on the east coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark. With a population of 3,642 (as of 1 January 2015), it is the second largest town, as well as the largest fishing port on the island. Fishing is 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, Darłowo, and Ustka in Poland.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 Old Norse elements "nøkke", meaning Nix or water spirit, and "sæ" (sea). It was first documented in 1346 as Nexe.

History

Nexø originated as a fishing village for the parish of Bodilsker with a chapel attached to St Bodil's Church. In 1346, it was granted rights as a market town, dealing in both the herring trade and in agricultural products. Over the centuries the town has suffered a number of disasters. The Lübeckers burnt the town in 1510, in 1563 most of the inhabitants died from the plague and in 1645 it was plundered by 500 Swedish soldiers. In 1756 there was another serious fire and in 1872 a storm damaged the harbour.