Storebælt

Storebælt, the Great Belt, separates Zealand and Funen and forms a passage between the Baltic and waters leading towards the North Sea. Crossings linked the Danish islands: regular sailing is recorded between the shores in the eleventh century, and in 1653 the postal service established a state-run boat route across the belt.

In the exceptionally cold winter of 1658, the Swedish army crossed the frozen Danish belts during its war with Denmark. From Funen it moved by way of Tåsinge and Langeland across the ice towards Lolland and Zealand. The crossing helped force Denmark into the Treaty of Roskilde, showing how a water barrier could become a route for an army under unusual conditions.