Rønne (Bornholm) / Denmark

On the western coast of Denmark's Bornholm lies Ronne. The main and largest city of the island in the Baltic Sea has about 14,000 inhabitants.

Ronne boasts an interesting history, thanks to its natural harbor and strategic location between Sweden, Germany, and Poland. A small fishing community likely emerged here around the year 1000, and in the early 15th century, it was plundered several times. In the following centuries, under the rule of Germans, Swedes, and Danes, it grew and prospered as a fishing port. Since the late 16th century, fishing in Ronne declined, and its role in the area's economy was taken over by pottery production, which developed over the next 300 years. From the mid-18th to the late 19th century, the town was also famous for producing grandfather clocks. At the end of World War II, the town was bombed by the Soviets, and it was returned to Denmark along with the island in April 1946. Today, it attracts tourists mainly from neighboring countries and is a popular port for cruise ships on their voyages through Northern Europe.

Ronne's charming cobbled streets are lined with half-timbered houses, many of which were reconstructed or rebuilt after the devastating bombing at the end of World War II. One of the oldest is Toldboden, a former trading warehouse from 1624, and the guardhouse Hovedvagten from 1744 is the oldest brick building. The Church of St. Nicholas with its distinctive tower was built where a small chapel stood in the 13th century, and even older is the Nylars Church from around 1150, decorated with 13th-century frescoes.

Those who want to glimpse the area's past from the Paleolithic to the present should not miss the Bornholm Museum with its extensive collection of Bronze Age artifacts or the collection of Roman coins. Military history enthusiasts can visit the citadel with 3.5-meter-thick walls, known as Kastellet. It was built in 1744 to defend the town, but it never served its purpose, and today it houses the Defense Museum.

In the northern tip of Bornholm, about a half-hour drive from Ronne, the ruins of Hammershus, the largest medieval castle in Scandinavia, rise 70 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the sea.

Those looking for something unusual should head to the Bornholm Bird of Prey Show about 10 kilometers inland: there, in the beautiful landscape of lakes and cliffs, bird of prey shows are held, where visitors can get closer to these amazing creatures.

The coast of Ronne is lined with fairy-tale beaches, one of the most popular being the long sandy Antoinette Beach north of the center. About 10 minutes south of Ronne lies Arnager with a small beach and the longest wooden bridge in Northern Europe, connecting the charming village with its island harbor.

Places worth seeing

Toldboden – Admire one of the oldest half-timbered houses on Bornholm, a former trading warehouse from 1624.

Sankt Nicolai Kirke - Explore the beautiful church with a distinctive tower, built on the remains of a 13th-century chapel.

Bornholms Forsvarmuseum – Don't miss the extensive collections of weapons and uniforms in the citadel, built to defend the town in 1744.

Bornholms Rovfugleshow - Get a glimpse into the life of birds of prey and enjoy a great show in the beautiful inland landscape of Bornholm.

Hammershus – Be enchanted by the breathtaking views of the sea from the remains of the majestic stone castle from the 13th century. 

Arnager - Enjoy relaxation on the beautiful sandy beach and a walk along the long wooden pier connecting the village with the harbor. 

Hjorth's Fabrik – Watch a master of his craft at work making traditional pottery and take home a lovely souvenir from Ronne.