Hammershus: Northern Europe’s largest castle ruin
At Bornholm’s northern tip, Hammershus rises high above the sea. Here you meet the remains of a medieval castle still felt in the landscape. Come closer to the ruins, the history, the cliffs and the special nature around Northern Europe’s largest castle ruin.
Hammershus still towers high above the sea
At Bornholm’s northern tip, Hammershus stands on a steep rocky outcrop with views of the sea, forest and cliffs.
The location was no coincidence. The cliffs, the sea and Mølledalen were part of the castle’s defence, and from the top it was possible to keep watch over shipping in the Baltic Sea. Standing by the ruins today, you quickly understand why Hammershus was built right here.
Here you can walk through the gates, follow the old walls and feel how history is still present in the landscape. Hammershus is a place where both children and adults can explore Bornholm’s past.
Hammershus is Northern Europe’s largest castle ruin
Hammershus is Northern Europe’s largest castle ruin and one of Bornholm’s best-known attractions.
The castle was probably built at the end of the 13th century. For several hundred years, Hammershus was an important centre of power on Bornholm. From here, the island was ruled, defended and controlled by changing powers.
For the Bornholmers of the time, Hammershus was not only an impressive castle. It was also a place where power could be felt. Taxes were handed in here, cases were decided, and punishments were carried out.
Today, it is the ruins, the view and the feeling of the place that make Hammershus so special.
Look for the details in the ruins too. Slotsbroen, the outer baileys, Smørkælderen and Manteltårnet each tell their part of the story of defence, everyday life and power at Hammershus.
Leonora Christina at Hammershus
One of the best-known chapters in the castle’s history is the story of Leonora Christina and Corfitz Ulfeldt.
They were imprisoned at Hammershus in 1660-1661. According to the story, they tried to escape down the walls and cliffs, but the attempt failed. The story is still part of the atmosphere you meet when you walk around the ruins.
From fortress to protected ruin
In 1743, Hammershus was abandoned as a fortress. After that, the castle began to fall into decay, and Bornholmers took stones from the site for other buildings.
In 1822, the ruins were protected. Since then, Hammershus has been preserved and restored, so today you can experience the remains of one of Bornholm’s most important historic buildings.
When beer was an everyday drink
On a castle like Hammershus, beer would have been part of everyday life. Not the beer we know today, but everyday beer with a low alcohol content. It was drunk by both children and adults and was an important source of liquid and nourishment in the Middle Ages.
On an ordinary day, it was not unusual for an adult to drink three to four litres of this mild everyday beer.
Stronger beer, mead and wine were mostly for special occasions. In daily life, it was the simpler beer that filled the jugs when life at the castle had to run its course.
The nature around Hammershus
The area around Hammershus is also worth noticing. Here, cliffs, scrub, grassland and sea views meet, and nature is closely woven together with the history of the castle.
Lime from the old walls has influenced the soil and made room for special plants. Some of them are rare in Denmark, while others can be traced back to the time when the castle was in use. These include old useful and medicinal plants that grew by the castle and were later spread through the area by animals and birds.
Several of the plants are known as living traces of the past, because they tell of life here when the castle was in use.
The wildlife is also part of the experience. On the cliffs around Hammershus, you may be lucky enough to see birds of prey and seabirds. Peregrine falcons, razorbills and guillemots breed in the area between Hammershus and Vang, and in the dark cavities of the castle live small species that thrive in the special environment around the ruins.
Look for Kamelhovederne and Løvehovedet
Below Hammershus, the coast hides some of Bornholm’s most distinctive rock formations. In the water west of the castle ruins lie Kamelhovederne, where the rocks look like two camel heads rising out of the sea. In the nearby cliffs, you can also see Løvehovedet, although it is easiest to spot from the sea.
The rock formations have been shaped by the sea over a long period of time. They are a fine reminder that the Hammershus experience does not end at the castle walls. Walk down towards the coast, and you come closer to the cliffs, the sea and the landscape that the castle is part of.
Begin your visit at the visitor centre
Hammershus Besøgscenter is a good place to begin your visit. Here you can learn more about the history of the castle, see the exhibition and find practical facilities, as well as enjoy a good cup of coffee or something to eat in Brohuset, which is located next to the exhibition. From the visitor centre, the bridge over Mølledalen leads you on towards the ruins. It gives you a calm and beautiful arrival at Hammershus, as the landscape slowly opens up in front of you.
Come closerWalking routes at Hammershus
Several beautiful walking routes lead from Hammershus out into the landscape. Here you can follow paths through cliffs, scrub and open views, with the ruins always close by, even as you move away from the castle itself.
One of the best-known routes is Kyststien, which runs below Hammershus and continues along the coast. Here you come close to the sea, the cliffs and the wide views of North Bornholm. Kyststien can be followed all the way around the island, but the stretch by Hammershus is an obvious place to begin if you want to experience how castle, landscape and sea belong together.
Did you know?
Close to Hammershus, there are in fact two lighthouses. Hammeren Fyr stands high on Hammerknuden and was used to guide ships safely past Bornholm’s northern tip. At Hammerodde lies Hammerodde Fyr, built in 1895 as an auxiliary lighthouse because the higher lighthouse was not always enough in fog and low cloud.
Both lighthouses stand as striking landmarks in the landscape along Kyststien. On the walk around Hammerknuden, you come close to the cliffs, the sea and the views that for many years were important to shipping around Bornholm.
Experiences close to Hammershus
Hammershus is a good place to begin a longer tour around North Bornholm. In the area, several experiences are close together, so you can easily combine a visit to the castle ruins with nature, walking, the sea and good breaks for food and drink.
From here, you can let your trip continue out into the landscape, down towards the coast or on to some of the places that make North Bornholm so special. In this way, a visit to Hammershus can become the beginning of a whole day close to the island’s nature, history and coastal life.
Tip: get more out of Hammershus
You get even more out of Hammershus if you join a guided tour or try the mobile treasure hunt. Here, the castle’s history unfolds while you move between walls, gates and views.
It is especially a good way to bring the visit to life for children and families. Check the current options before you go, as tours and activities may vary by season.
