Bornholms Forsvarsmuseum

About the museum

The Bornholms Forsvarsmuseum tells the military history of the Baltic island of Bornholm, which for centuries became a plaything of rival powers. A first exhibition was already on view in 1975 in the Kastellet in Rønne; in 1980 it became an independent museum. It is run by the friends' association Kastellets Venner Bornholm, which sustains the museum with a great deal of volunteer work; the Kastellet and the associated buildings belong to the Bornholms Museum and are made available to the association free of charge.

The Kastellet behind the museum is a historic fortification in which Danish as well as German soldiers were quartered and which at times even served as a quarantine station for plague victims. The exhibitions are spread across several historic buildings on Arsenalvej.

The collection ranges from the Bornholm militia founded in 1613 and the later Bornholms Væbning, through Danish uniforms from the 18th century to today, to cannons and artillery from a 16th-century ship's gun to the Stinger missile. One focus is World War II: the German occupation with an original Enigma machine and remains of a V-1, the bombing of Rønne and Nexø in May 1945, and the eleven-month Soviet presence until 1946. Further rooms are devoted to Bornholm as NATO's easternmost outpost in the Cold War. In the courtyard stand military vehicles such as an M24 Chaffee tank, some of which can be entered.

Highlights

• Original German Enigma machine
• Remains of a V-1 flying bomb
• M24 Chaffee and other military vehicles to climb into in the courtyard
• Operable 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun
• Exhibition on the Soviet occupation of Bornholm 1945–1946
• Historic Kastellet fortification

Permanent exhibitions

• Bornholm under besættelsen – Finds and photos from the German occupation period, when Bornholm was used for submarine training and tests of the V-weapons – including an Enigma machine and remains of a V-1.
• Befrielse eller besættelse – Russertiden på Bornholm 1945–1946 – On the second floor it is about the bombing of Rønne and Nexø, the landing of Soviet troops in May 1945 and the eleven months of their presence on the island.
• Fanget mellem øst og vest – Den kolde krig på Bornholm – Bornholm as NATO's easternmost outpost: secret missions behind the Iron Curtain, invasion preparations and defected Polish MiG pilots.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Kastellets Venner Bornholm

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A wheelchair-suitable stairlift connects the first and second floors; the tower of the Kastellet is not wheelchair-accessible. Animals are not allowed indoors, guide dogs excepted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In the courtyard children may climb into military vehicles and, together with adults, swing a real 40 mm anti-aircraft gun. A red culture suitcase with tasks about medals, carrier pigeons and cannons is available free of charge at the entrance. In the building you can make a call between two floors with an original German field telephone and draw your own military vehicles. During the season there are additional family activities.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, tin soldiers and prints of historic maps. Free toilet in the forecourt.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit