Discover Østerlars on Bornholm

Østerlars on Bornholm brings together medieval architecture and art with prehistoric traces in the forest area of Risen to the south. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip to Bornholm, Østerlars is a hub for culture and history. Its history spans everything from prehistoric field systems to medieval frescoes and the 14th century brought to life at the open-air museum.

The round church and nearby frescoes

The Østerlars Round Church lies near Østerlars and is considered the oldest of Bornholm’s four round churches. Its exact year of construction is unknown; it probably dates from around 1150. It is also Denmark’s largest round church and the best-known of the four round churches on Bornholm. Historically, it served both as a church and as protection against enemies from the sea. Around 120,000 visitors are reported each year; this figure may change over time. The interior frescoes of Østerlars Church are another historical highlight nearby. They date from around 1350 and depict the life of Jesus, from the Annunciation to Mary to the Last Judgment. The frescoes were whitewashed during the Reformation, uncovered again in 1889 and restored in 1958 by a conservator from the National Museum.

Bornholm’s Medieval Centre

Bornholm’s Medieval Centre in Østerlars offers a distinctive perspective on the 14th century. The 15-hectare open-air museum brings Bornholm to life through interactive displays; it first opened its doors in 1996. A free guided tour is available every day. Visitors can also try activities such as archery and coin minting, or watch the medieval breech-loading cannon being fired. Check the current weekly programme for details about the activities.

Prehistoric traces in Risen

In the forest area of Risen, south of Østerlars, the prehistoric landscape includes several hundred fields enclosed by stone walls. Most date from the Early Iron Age, around 400 BC to 200 AD. The fields were also used during the Late Iron Age, and some remained in use until the 19th century. On Bøgebjerg in Risen, a burial ground contains burial mounds, stone cists and standing stones dating from the Iron Age and the Viking Age. The fields and burial ground offer different insights into the area’s former use and its archaeological remains.

Bornholm in a wider context

As a wider travel destination, Bornholm offers more cultural and natural attractions. At the NaturBornholm experience centre, you’ll find dinosaurs, live crocodiles, an aquarium and a bison exhibition. The exhibitions may change over time. The island’s history also includes its smoking tradition: Bornholm’s first smokehouse opened in Gudhjem in 1866, and herring has been smoked there ever since. In Hasle, Hasle Smokehouse is the last smokehouse on Bornholm where fish is smoked in the traditional way, using open chimneys and alder wood.

Bornholm can be reached by ferry, plane, bus or train. The ferry crossing from Ystad in Sweden to Bornholm takes one hour and 20 minutes. Check current connections and timetables before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bodilsker, Boderne, Ertholmene, Balka, Listed, Hasle, Nyker, Arsballe

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