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Welcome to the Bornholm's Defence Museum

Visit a collection of military artefacts on the Danish island of Bornholm.

The museum displays a unique collection of historical artefacts from the island’s military history ranging from the 17th century to the present day.

A large part of the museum is focused on the history of the local Danish military units, but the museum’s exhibition on the Second World War includes leftovers from the German and Soviet occupations – incl. weapons, uniforms and a German Enigma encryption device (known from such films as ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘U-571’).

Bornholm - An island in a sea of conflicts

Throughout history, Bornholm has been a vital pawn in the power play between kingdoms, great powers, empires, and superpowers. The island has been invaded several times and experienced occupations by Swedes, Germans, and Russians.

At Bornholm’s Defence Museum, you can learn more about the imilitary history of the island and experience a unique collection of military objects, buildings and vehicles.

Opening hours

Wednesday-Saturday | 10AM-4PM

Sunday-Tuesday | Closed

Danish holidays | Closed

May 4 – October 22, 2022

Ticket prices

Adults: 75 DKK

Pensioner: 60 DKK

Veterans (with ID): 50 DKK

Youths (aged 6-16): 35 DKK

Children (under 6): Free

Group tour: 600 DKK for up to 10 persons + regular entry fee per person. Required booking at least one day in advance.

Address

Bornholms Forsvarsmuseum

Arsenalvej 8

3700 Rønne

Denmark

Find us on Google Maps here

A unique historical collection

The museum’s collection offers many unique and interesting objects that make it a must-see attraction for anyone with an interest in military history. Below are three featured historical objects that are part of the permanent displays at the museum.

Germany's wartime secret - The Enigma-machine

See the museum’s German Enigma encryption machine from the Second World War. There are only 284 machines left that were used during the war. The museum’s Enigma was discarded in a ditch at the end of the war, when the German troops on the island surrendered to Soviet forces.

A Danish war hero's sabre from 1864

Sabre from the Danish war hero Lieutenant Anker who served in the 1864 Second Schleswig War against Prussia and Austria. Anker was born on Bornholm and served the first part of his military career in the island’s militia.

Debris from a V-1 'buzzbomb' crash

In 2021 the museum opens a new exhibition about the V-1 flying bomb that crashed on Bornholm during the Second World War. Danish resistance smuggled intel about this new weapon to the Allies as an early warning about what was to come – but it had dire consequences.

Visit a 300 year old fortress

The ‘Kastellet’ (English: Citadel) is part of Rønne town’s fortification. Build by order of the Danish King Christian IV during the period of 1679-1684. The citadel is 10 meters in height and is protected by 3½ meter thick walls. Although it resembles Bornholm’s round churches in design, the design is borrowed from Mediterranean fortress types. During its 300 years it has been both a fortress, a plaque quarantine area and a radio station.