Bornholm Island

District: Bornholms amt

Area: 588 sq.km/227 sq.mi

Population: 45,000

Situation

The island of Bornholm lies in the Baltic 47 km/23 mi off the Swedish coast and about 150 km/95mi from Copenhagen. There are ferries to Ronne on Bornholm from Copenhagen and from the German port of Sassnitz.

Typography

The island consists of a great mass of granite, much of it with only a thin layer of soil; on the north it is bounded by beautiful, steep cliffs and on the southeast and west by sand dunes; the region near Dueodde is particularly popular. The interior is party wooded and partly heathland. History

Until the 2nd century B.C., Bornholm was inhabited by Burgundians (Burgundarholm). In the 12th C. the island fell to the the Archbishopric of Lund (Hammershus Episcopal Castle). The Romanesque round churches, such as those at Osterlars and Olsker, were used as fortresses in the war against the piratical Wends. In 1525-75 the island belonged to Lübeck and from 1658-60 to Sweden. Bornholm has been Danish since 1660.

Economy

In the Middle Ages Bornholm was an important trading post. Today the population lives mainly by fishing and fish-processing (smoked herrings) and farming, although the ceramic factories in Ronne offer guided tours.

Holiday center

The mild climate, pleasant atmosphere and sandy beaches, together with the many opportunities for walks and cycle rides, have led to the development of a lively holiday and tourist trade.