The colossal sculpture "Men at Sea" aka  "Mennesket ved havet“ by Svend Wiig Hansen on the shore near the Esbjerg's harbor.

© Oliver Hoffmann/Shutterstock

Mennesket ved Havet

Top choice in Southern Jutland


On the waterfront opposite Fiskeri- og Søfartsmuseet is Esbjerg’s most interesting landmark, Mennesket ved Havet ('Man Meets the Sea'): four stark-white, 9m-high, stylised human figures, sitting rigid and staring out to sea. They were created by Danish sculptor Svend Wiig Hansen to commemorate the city’s centennial in 1995 and they make a striking backdrop to holiday snaps.


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