10. Hammershus Castle
Hammershus Castle is Denmarks largest castle ruins. The castle is situated on a lonly rocky knoll 70 meters above sea level. Archaeological surveys indicate that the castle was built around 1300 A.D., probably by Arch Bishop Jens Grand. At that time most of Bornholm was owned by the church, and there was hostilities between church and crown. Hammershus became strategically important in the struggle between church and king that lasted for centuries. The castle changed hands now and then but it always ended up in the churchs possesion. But from 1525 the castle was in the hands of german merchants and later the crown. During a brief occupation it was under Swedish control.
The castle housed the commander's household as well as soldiers, judiciary and prison and it was here the taxes was collected. So the commoners on Bornholm did not look kindly upon the castle.
When cannon became common in the 1600s the castle became obsolete as a defensive position. Instead it became a state prison and garrison, and in 1743 it was abandoned alltogether. Soon the locals started gathering stones from the castle and these stones can still be found in many a building all over the island. In 1822 the castle became a cultural heritage site but by then it was already a ruin.
The area around the castle is home to about 50 plant species that was imported by medieval monks and used for medicinal purposes or as a food source. Combined with the many different wild species this makes Hammershus one of the most notable botanical sites in Denmark.
11. Hammershus visitor's centre
East of Hammershus the new visitor's centre is open to the public from 2018. Admission is free and the centre offers a look into the castles long history and serves as a resource for education. The dining area has a splendid panoramic view over the castle.
12. The Lion's Head and The Camel Heads
The Lion's Head and The Camel Heads are rock formations situated at the foot of the steep cliffs below Hammershus Castle. The Camel Heads (pictured) portrudes from a small skerry and can be seen from land. To the north of The Camel Heads the The Lion's Head tower above the waves. It is best viewed from the sea. In the summer you can see these impressive rock formations on a guided boat tour departing from Hammerhavn.
13. Hammersholm
This old building is from the late 1700s. The long, timber-framed residential wing is typical of Bornholm. In the area between Hammersholm and Madsebakke burial mounds and petroglyphs bear witness to prehistoric human acitivity.
14. The petroglyphs
In the area between Hammershus and Allinge-Sandvig hundreds of unique petroglyps from the bronze age (1100-500 B. C.) can be found. The exposed bedrock at Madsebakke is known for its many petroglyphs and is the largest site in Denmark. Here you can see carvings showing ships, wheel crosses, feet and cup marks. Nearer to Hammersholm and the burial mound Anebjerg Høj is another site where many recently uncovered petroglyphs can be found - ships, feet, cup marks, horses and a spiral-like carving (pictured). At Madsebakke the petroglyphs are regularly painted to make them easier to see. In the rest of the area only few are painted regularly, but many of the carvings can be recognized without aid. It is advisable to bring some water to splash on the rock surface as this makes the petroglyphs easier to see.
It is not known why the prehistoric people went to great lenghts to carve these images into the hard granite, but most likely the symbols was connected to the religious traditions of the bronze age.
15. Moseløkken quarry and museum
Moseløkken is the last remaining active quarry in the northern part of Bornholm. It was founded in the 1870s by local merchants. Granite from the quarry was widely used in Copenhagen - the entrance to the parliament building Christiansborg was built from Moseløkken granite. Above the quarry you will find a quarry museum.
16. Slotslyngen
Historically Slotslyngen (The Castle Heather) was a grazing area belonging to Hammershus Castle. Most of Slotslyngen are now covered by a lush, wild and varied forest of birch, beech, oak and hornbeam. Small lakes and exposed bedrock creates further variety in the landscape. The southern part of Slotslyngen towards Vang consists of rocky heath dominated by heather and juniper. From here you can see Hammershus to the north and in fair weather you can get a glimpse of sweeden beyond the sea to the north west. Towards the sea the cliffs are steep and at times almost vertical. These cliffs are Bornholms largest nesting cliffs where gulls, razorbills and peregrine falcons come to nest.
17. Pissebækken
In the southernmost part of Slotslyngen Pissebækken (literally The Pissing Stream) turns into a magnificent waterfall just before it meets the sea. The fall is one of the largest in Denmark. In early spring the area is full of the blue common hepatica flower.
18. Ravnedal
Ravnedal (Raven's Valley) is part of a rift valley starting at Paradisdalen (Paradise Valley) near Hammershus to the north and ending a few kilometers south of Ravnedal. Ravnedal is mostly dry rocky heath dominated by heather and juniper. Around the valley you will find mixed forest. In places the bedrock shows sign of quarrying. Ravnedal is home to Denmark's only mygalomorph spider atypus affinis. East of Ravnedal you can find a large megalith, Knægten, from the bronze age (1100-500 B. C.). It is surrounded by burial cairns.