Bornholms Museum
Cultural history museum in Rønne on the history of Bornholm from the Stone Age to the Cold War, with the largest collection of Guldgubber in the North.
About the museum
The Bornholms Museum was founded in 1893 as a cultural history museum for Bornholm and Christiansø. Its sponsor is the Bornholms Museumsforening, an association with about 5,000 members that also runs the Bornholms Kunstmuseum. As a state-recognized museum, it collects, preserves, researches and communicates the archaeology and recent cultural history of the island.
As early as 1894 the museum moved into a former hospital on Sankt Mortens Gade in Rønne. The building was expanded in 1921–23 and later supplemented by neighboring buildings. Further departments were gradually added: in 1950 the townhouse Erichsens Gård, in 1984 the agricultural museum Melstedgård and in 1995 the ceramics factory Hjorths Fabrik. The art collection moved in 1993 to a new building near Gudhjem and became independent as the Bornholms Kunstmuseum.
On three floors, the museum shows the island's history from the Stone Age to the end of the Cold War. Among the best-known holdings are the paper-thin gold foil figures (Guldgubber) from Sorte Muld near Ibsker, of which more than 3,000 were found there, as well as the world's largest collection of Bornholm grandfather clocks. Further themes are seafaring, an ethnographic collection, the occupation period and the Soviet bombings of Rønne and Nexø in May 1945; in the garden there is a bunker from that period. On the top floor, a classroom, toys and a grocery shop recall everyday life in the interwar period.
The museum is to move into a converted former fish fillet factory at the harbor of Nexø; the opening with newly designed exhibitions is announced for Easter 2028 at the latest.
Highlights
- Largest collection of Guldgubber (Iron Age gold foil figures) in the North
- World's largest collection of Bornholm grandfather clocks
- Exhibition on the occupation period, the 1945 bombing and the Cold War, bunker in the garden
- Old classroom, toy collection and interwar grocery shop
- Seafaring and ethnographic collection
Permanent exhibitions
- Guldgubber og arkæologi – Archaeology of Bornholm from the Stone Age onward, with the tiny gold foil figures from Sorte Muld, which presumably served as offerings.
- Anden Verdenskrig og den kolde krig – The occupation, Soviet bombings of Rønne and Nexø in 1945 and the island's position on the border with the Eastern Bloc; plus a bunker in the garden.
- Bornholmerure – Grandfather clocks by Bornholm clockmakers, whose craft arose after a stranding of English clocks in 1744 and flourished into the late 19th century.
- Founded
- 1893
- Operated by
- Bornholms Museumsforening
- Director
- Jacob Bjerring-Hansen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 100 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 free |
| Groups (20+ people) | –20% off admission for groups of 20 or more |
| Fællesbillet (Bornholms Museum, Hjorths Fabrik, Erichsens Gård and Melstedgård, valid for one week) | DKK 175available online |
| Vinterbillet from calendar week 43 (Bornholms Museum and Hjorths Fabrik) | DKK 100 |
| Klippekort (six museums and attractions on Bornholm, valid 7 days) | DKK 250valid for Bornholms Museum, Hjorths Fabrik, Erichsens Gård, Melstedgård, NaturBornholm and Bornholms Kunstmuseum |
Members of the Bornholms Museumsforening get free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The old museum building has stairs from street level and across all floors; it is therefore hardly suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments. The museum asks that you get in touch beforehand about assistance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Playground / play area
Hands-on activity "Arkæolog for en dag" in which children examine finds as at an excavation, the treasure hunt "Find Krølle Bølle" through the exhibitions, and red discovery suitcases for a guided children's tour. There is a play corner on the top floor. Strollers are hardly suitable because of steps and limited space in the building.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 50 m to the entrance
Several larger parking lots in downtown Rønne, the nearest about 50 m from the museum.
The museum is centrally located in Rønne near the harbor and Store Torv.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
No café in the building, but numerous cafés and restaurants in downtown Rønne. In the garden in front of the museum there are tables and benches for food you bring yourself.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Most visitors spend one to two hours in the museum. Group tours (about 50 minutes, also on requested topics such as seafaring or the Cold War) cost DKK 800 plus DKK 100 admission per person, book via bm@bornholmsmuseum.dk; for larger groups a short introduction is possible. Also city tours of Rønne and educational programs from kindergarten to upper secondary level. |
