Welcome to the Museum of Defence on Bornholm
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’).
Opening hours
Wednesday-Saturday | 10AM-4PM
Sunday-Tuesday | Closed
Danish holidays | Closed
May 5 – October 24, 2021
Ticket prices
Adults: 65 DKK
Pensioner: 50 DKK
Veterans (with ID): 50 DKK
Youths (aged 6-16): 35 DKK
Children (under 6): Free
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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.
Museum highlights
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.
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.
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.
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.