 The precise date at which it was granted the status of market town is not known but it was no doubt at the beginning of the 16th century as by 1543 it had a mayor and a municipal council.In 1610, almost half the town was destroyed by fire.During the brief period of February 26, 1658 - May 27, 1660 Svaneke, together with the rest of Bornholm, was part of the Swedish Empire.