Hammershus Castle Ruins

Hammershus is now undisputedly regarded as the largest preserved castle ruin in Northern Europe. This makes the fortress a “living” history book of Bornholm. Since its foundation around 1200, the imposing Hammershus fortress dominated not only the island of Bornholm but the entire fiercely contested Baltic region. Ownership of the fortress changed hands several times between kings and the Church, and among the Danes of Bornholm, the people of Lübeck and the Swedes, before Hammershus and the island finally came into the possession of the Danish royal house in 1658 after a long and complicated history. However, it lost its purpose as a fortification soon afterwards and was abandoned in 1743. It has been a listed monument since 1822. Today, Hammershus is undergoing extensive restoration in cooperation with the Danish National Museum and the Danish Forest and Nature Agency.


With its prominent position atop the great rocky massif of Hammeren, the ruin commands the entire north of the Baltic island and symbolises the symbiosis between nature and human endeavour in the history of Bornholm. As the most important landmark on the Baltic island of Bornholm, Hammershus still embodies the proud islanders’ determination to stand their ground.

Before visiting the ruin, it is well worth visiting the museum. Located in front of the ruin, the museum tells the story of the Baltic island of Bornholm and offers a glimpse into everyday life around 1575. The walking trail around the foot of Hammershus is an experience in itself, though it can be challenging in wet weather.

Hammershus Exhibition
Slotsgården
Langebjergvej 24
DK-3770 Allinge