500 years of Bornholm’s military history – told through historic objects and gripping stories
Throughout history, Bornholm has been a pawn in the power struggles of kingdoms, great powers, empires, and superpowers.
At Bornholm’s Defence Museum, you can explore military vehicles, striking uniforms, fearsome sabres, and remarkable stories that offer a unique insight into the island’s past and the military units once stationed here.
Bornholms Forsvarsmuseum
Arsenalvej 8
3700 Rønne
Adults: 95 DKK
Young people (6–16 years): 50 DKK
Children (0–5 years): Free
Pensioners: 70 DKK
Military Veterans with ID: 60 DKK
3 June – 17 October 2026
Wednesday–Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday–Tuesday: Closed
Public holidays: Closed
Denmark was liberated on 5 May 1945 — but not Bornholm. Here, the German garrison refused to capitulate. Our exhibitions take you through the escalating tension of those days, when Soviet forces closed in and the German troop concentration on the island was at its highest.
Discover the museum’s fascinating exhibitions
At Bornholm’s Defence Museum, you can explore the island’s turbulent past. Your journey through history unfolds via a unique collection of military objects, buildings, and vehicles. Among the highlights is an original, top‑secret German Enigma machine.
As one of the few places in Denmark, the museum displays Danish uniforms from the 18th century to the present day — from the colourful finery of the Napoleonic era to today’s camouflage patterns.
Take the Driver’s Seat in a Military Vehicle
In the museum’s forecourt, you can explore a range of military vehicles from Bornholm — including an M24 Chaffee. Several of them are open for you to climb into and try out.
You can also team up with a friend to operate a 40 mm Bofors anti‑aircraft gun. It takes real cooperation to make it work.
Bornholm, positioned in the heart of the Baltic Sea, became NATO’s easternmost outpost during the Cold War. Discover how a Korean bounty drove a defector to land a state‑of‑the‑art fighter jet on the island — and uncover the story of the secret British missions launched from Bornholm into the darkness behind the Iron Curtain.
Cannons and Artillery
On the museum’s ground floor, you’ll find an exhibition featuring a range of historic cannons and modern artillery systems.
Here, you can follow the development from 16th‑century naval guns to today’s howitzers and advanced Stinger missiles.
The exhibition offers a vivid insight into how artillery has evolved — both technologically and tactically — over the centuries.
Bornholm Under German Occupation
The museum’s exhibition on the German occupation contains a wide range of fascinating objects and stories from Bornholm. Among the highlights are a genuine wartime Enigma machine, the remains of a V‑1 bomb, and various pieces of German equipment.
You can also explore a large collection of photographs from the occupation, showing the German installations on Bornholm. The island was used both for training submarine crews and for testing Hitler’s secret V‑weapons.
The Citadel and the Museum’s Historic Buildings
Bornholm’s Defence Museum is housed in historic buildings, each with its own remarkable story.
Among them is Kastellet, the defensive structure behind the museum, which has accommodated both Danish and German soldiers. For a time, the building even served as a quarantine station for people infected with the plague.