Rønne like a “Lego” city. Island of Bornholm, Denmark

At the easternmost point of Denmark, we find the group of islands called “Ertholmene”, which are probably known better under the name of the largest one, Bornholm. When we look at a map of Bornholm we will se a lot of towns. That’s not exactly truth! Most of those are small fishing hamlets with only a few houses, and some others, a bit larger towns with lots of life. Each small place has its own history - perhaps it is attached to a church, the harbor or perhaps just a crossroads. Nevertheless they all reveal the past where we sense a special spirit. Bornholm has much to offer. I went there in 1993 and had the chance to explore it by myself. I enjoy the atmosphere from the calm but still active towns, also the beautiful agricultural landscape, and all the small beaches and dirty small roads to get there, where a bicycle is essential. If you come by ship from main land to Bornholm, you will arrive in Rønne Harbour at the foot of St Nicolai Church, where this photo was taken. The harbour is the biggest one of Bornholm and lively frequented by ferries, fishing boats and cargo vessels. Here, the sea and land mix air with each other. I took a walk on the cobbles in the quiet streets of the old part of the town behind the church. Rønne is a "garden town" it seams like a “Lego” toy city. Behind the half-timbered houses and walls you find both back gardens and big gardens. It can be difficult to see these gardens from the street, but you can smell the many lilacs and fruit trees, hear the bird life and sense the peace between the houses and gardens. I notice a funny thing: In many of the small windows, the natives of Bornholm show their porcelain figures, handmade glass or knick-knacks of special importance. This porcelain figures represents a personal signal to you from each window. Since ages, Rønne has also been the cultural capital of the island and still today. Rønne offers many restaurants and cafés and several hotels. In short distance from the town centre, it is possible to get sand under our feet. The town has a very nice sandy beach, which stretches both to the south and to the north. Scarcely 2 km north of St. Torv, we will find the Antoinette beach, which is very popular with the beach boys of the town. Just 1 km south of the town centre, at the nice open natural resort of Galløkken, there is another one. This stretches about 30-35 km along the south coast of the island to Nexø. By Galløkken and Antoinette beaches we have two good camping sites, which attract many guests during the summer. Just south of the town, between the citadel and Galløkken, the youth hostel where I stayed. We won't find anything like it anywhere else in Denmark. (www.holiday.bornholm.info)