Rønne
Encyclopedia
Rønne is the largest town on the Danish
island of Bornholm
in the Baltic Sea
. It has a population of 13,904 (1 January 2011). Once a municipality in its own right, it is now the administrative centre of the Bornholm municipality.
Owing to its natural harbour and its strategic position in the Baltic Sea
, Rønne has an interesting history coming under German and Swedish influence during its development as a herring fishing port. Today, with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and interesting museums, it attracts visitors mainly from Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Poland.
and even various north German princes all competed for control of the town. The Germans took a special interest in Bornholm because of its strategic position in the Baltic Sea
between the German coast and Visby
in Gothland, now southern Sweden
, at times establishing their own interests in the town. After the church's expansion in 1360, the parish of Rønne was established.
As its trade prospered, by the beginning of the 15th century Rønne was repeatedly plundered and burnt by the Lübeck
ers from northern Germany.
In 1525, they took control of Bornholm as compensation for the fact that Denmark was unable to reimburse the large debts it had run up. They even allowed their own merchants to establish businesses in Rønne. Though the Lübeckers contributed to the success of the fishing trade, they demanded ever-higher taxes from the local population. The citizens took revenge, chasing the Lübeckers off while allowing other German communities to remain. The result was that in 1576, control of Rønne returned to the Danish crown. However, the Baltic had by this time lost much of its strategic importance. The fishing industry declined and when the town's population was twice struck by the plague in 1619 and 1655, it took decades for it to recover.
A further setback occurred in April 1658 when, in the midst of the Dano-Swedish war, Denmark ceded Bornholm to Sweden under the terms of the Treaty of Roskilde
. The occupation was however short as the Swedes were overcome by the local population in December of the same year.
In 1834, Rønne City Hall was built on the Store Torv, the central square of the city. This important building was the centre of administration in Rønne and Borholm for many years, and was housed the courthouse and jail of Bornholm.
Towards the end of World War II
, on 7 and 8 May 1945, the town was bombed by Soviet aircraft when the German commandant of the occupying forces refused to surrender. Although the rest of Denmark had been liberated on 4 May, the Russians then occupied Bornholm on 9 May sending the Germans back to Germany. The Russians did not leave until 5 April 1946 when an agreement was reached with the Danish authorities and the island finally came under Danish rule once more.
Most of the houses in Rønne were damaged by the bombs and it took several years to fully rebuild the city, retaining its traditional architecture, quaint streets and half-timbered houses. The Swedes contributed 300 timber houses to the town while the rest of Denmark including Greenland
and the Faroes
raised the considerable sum of 8 million Danish crowns to help rebuild the town.
industry. However, by the late 16th century, the fishing industry had begun to decline and for the next 300 years there was practically no further growth. The ceramic
industry in the town surpassed that of the fishing industry and has continued into modern times, with as many of 50 ceramics shops in Rønne today. However, today, tourism is the most important source for the local economy. There are several notable sandy beaches in the area which tourists frequent.
s or Bornholmeure which were manufactured from the middle of the 18th century until around 1900. Interest in clock-making started when a Dutch ship sailing from England ran aground off Rønne in 1744 carrying five grandfather clocks which were damaged in the accident. In view of the clocks' value, the sailors called on Poul Ottesen Arboe, a local turner
, who was able to repair them. As a result of the experience he gained in the repair work, he was able to manufacture clocks himself, giving birth to a new local industry.
Several workshops soon began to produce Bornholm clocks which became popular as they were cheaper than the more authentic models produced elsewhere. There were probably about 30 different clockmakers in the town at the beginning of the 19th century. By the 1840s, some 2,000 clocks were being completed each year. Over the years, they were produced in various styles with both wooden and metal casing. The smaller pendulum clocks which were also produced became popular too. By the end of the 19th century, production came to a halt as industrially produced clocks became far cheaper than Bornholm's handcrafted artefacts.
, the Defence Museum (Forsvarsmuseet), the church (Skt Nicolaj Kirke), and the Smedegårds riding school in the southern part of town, and the lighthouse, which was built in 1880.
The Bornholm Museum offers an insight into the history of Rønne and the island of Bornholm, dating from the Paleolithic
era to the modern age, including the history of occupied Bornholm during World War II. The museum houses a number of Nordic Bronze Age
and Iron Age artefacts relating to the island and uses a Mjolnir, discovered in Bornholm
, but now housed in the National Museum of Denmark
, as its logo. It also has a notable collection of Roman coins, pottery and paintings.
The Skt. Nicolaj Church with its distinctive tower is part of the Diocese of Copenhagen
and in its present form was enlarged and fully refurbished in 1918. It stands on the site of an earlier church or chapel from the 13th century of which some sections can still be seen.
Forsvarsmuseet, or Rønne Defence Museum, is housed in a round tower with walls 3.5 m thick known as Kastellet or the citadel. Built in 1744 to contribute to the town's defences, there was never any occasion for it to be used. The museum has numerous artefacts related to military history such as guns, baldes, bombs and uniforms. Store Torv, the central square, was formerly used for military parades. Several notable buildings lie in the heart of the town, including the Rønne Public Library, the Nordeabank and old merchant/noble warehouses and residence buildings. Buildings of note include Erichsens Gård
, built in 1806 and now a museum, the neo-classical Kommandantgården, built in 1846 and now a ceramics museum, and the Amtmandsgården, located at Storegade 36. The Toldboden is a merchant warehouse, built in 1624, and is one of Rønne's oldest half-timbered buildings. The Torhus building, at the side of the square, was built in 1834 and was the former town hall, courthouse and jail. Rønne Theatre built in 1823 is Denmark's oldest provincial theatre still in active use. Hovedvagten at Søndergade 12 was built as a guard house in 1744 with bricks from Hammershus
which was being demolished at the time. It is the oldest brick house in the town.
, Ystad
and Sassnitz
, while Polferries
operates the line to Świnoujście
.
The boat to Ystad is a high-speed catamaran, and there is a matching direct-train connection from Ystad to Copenhagen.
Outside Rønne, Bornholm Airport offers flights to Copenhagen and to some summer destinations.
Mänttä
Høyanger
Darlowo
Wladyslawowo
Karlshamn
Ronneby
Simrishamn
Sölvesborg
Neustadt
Wolgast
San Marino
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
island of Bornholm
Bornholm
Bornholm is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea located to the east of the rest of Denmark, the south of Sweden, and the north of Poland. The main industries on the island include fishing, arts and crafts like glass making and pottery using locally worked clay, and dairy farming. Tourism is...
in the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. It has a population of 13,904 (1 January 2011). Once a municipality in its own right, it is now the administrative centre of the Bornholm municipality.
Owing to its natural harbour and its strategic position in the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
, Rønne has an interesting history coming under German and Swedish influence during its development as a herring fishing port. Today, with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and interesting museums, it attracts visitors mainly from Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Poland.
History
Rønne's origins probably date back to around the year 1000 when a small fishing community grew up around the natural harbour. Around 1275, a small chapel dedicated to St Nicholas was built on the site where Rønne's church now stands. The community was soon given the official status of a market town with its own mayor and council as well as its own law court. However, by the beginning of the 14th century, not only the king of Denmark but the archbishop of LundLund
-Main sights:During the 12th and 13th centuries, when the town was the seat of the archbishop, many churches and monasteries were built. At its peak, Lund had 27 churches, but most of them were demolished as result of the Reformation in 1536. Several medieval buildings remain, including Lund...
and even various north German princes all competed for control of the town. The Germans took a special interest in Bornholm because of its strategic position in the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
between the German coast and Visby
Visby
-See also:* Battle of Visby* Gotland University College* List of governors of Gotland County-External links:* - Visby*...
in Gothland, now southern Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, at times establishing their own interests in the town. After the church's expansion in 1360, the parish of Rønne was established.
As its trade prospered, by the beginning of the 15th century Rønne was repeatedly plundered and burnt by the Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
ers from northern Germany.
In 1525, they took control of Bornholm as compensation for the fact that Denmark was unable to reimburse the large debts it had run up. They even allowed their own merchants to establish businesses in Rønne. Though the Lübeckers contributed to the success of the fishing trade, they demanded ever-higher taxes from the local population. The citizens took revenge, chasing the Lübeckers off while allowing other German communities to remain. The result was that in 1576, control of Rønne returned to the Danish crown. However, the Baltic had by this time lost much of its strategic importance. The fishing industry declined and when the town's population was twice struck by the plague in 1619 and 1655, it took decades for it to recover.
A further setback occurred in April 1658 when, in the midst of the Dano-Swedish war, Denmark ceded Bornholm to Sweden under the terms of the Treaty of Roskilde
Treaty of Roskilde
The Treaty of Roskilde was concluded on 26 February or 8 March 1658 during the Second Northern War between Frederick III of Denmark–Norway and Charles X Gustav of Sweden in the Danish city of Roskilde...
. The occupation was however short as the Swedes were overcome by the local population in December of the same year.
In 1834, Rønne City Hall was built on the Store Torv, the central square of the city. This important building was the centre of administration in Rønne and Borholm for many years, and was housed the courthouse and jail of Bornholm.
Towards the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, on 7 and 8 May 1945, the town was bombed by Soviet aircraft when the German commandant of the occupying forces refused to surrender. Although the rest of Denmark had been liberated on 4 May, the Russians then occupied Bornholm on 9 May sending the Germans back to Germany. The Russians did not leave until 5 April 1946 when an agreement was reached with the Danish authorities and the island finally came under Danish rule once more.
Most of the houses in Rønne were damaged by the bombs and it took several years to fully rebuild the city, retaining its traditional architecture, quaint streets and half-timbered houses. The Swedes contributed 300 timber houses to the town while the rest of Denmark including Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
and the Faroes
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
raised the considerable sum of 8 million Danish crowns to help rebuild the town.
Economy
The economic status of Rønne grew dramatically during the Middle Ages with the development of the herringHerring
Herring is an oily fish of the genus Clupea, found in the shallow, temperate waters of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans, including the Baltic Sea. Three species of Clupea are recognized. The main taxa, the Atlantic herring and the Pacific herring may each be divided into subspecies...
industry. However, by the late 16th century, the fishing industry had begun to decline and for the next 300 years there was practically no further growth. The ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
industry in the town surpassed that of the fishing industry and has continued into modern times, with as many of 50 ceramics shops in Rønne today. However, today, tourism is the most important source for the local economy. There are several notable sandy beaches in the area which tourists frequent.
Grandfather clocks
Rønne also became famous for its longcase clockLongcase clock
A longcase clock, also tall-case clock, floor clock, or grandfather clock, is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower, or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly 1.8–2.4 metres tall...
s or Bornholmeure which were manufactured from the middle of the 18th century until around 1900. Interest in clock-making started when a Dutch ship sailing from England ran aground off Rønne in 1744 carrying five grandfather clocks which were damaged in the accident. In view of the clocks' value, the sailors called on Poul Ottesen Arboe, a local turner
Turning
Turning is the process whereby a single point cutting tool is parallel to the surface. It can be done manually, in a traditional form of lathe, which frequently requires continuous supervision by the operator, or by using a computer controlled and automated lathe which does not. This type of...
, who was able to repair them. As a result of the experience he gained in the repair work, he was able to manufacture clocks himself, giving birth to a new local industry.
Several workshops soon began to produce Bornholm clocks which became popular as they were cheaper than the more authentic models produced elsewhere. There were probably about 30 different clockmakers in the town at the beginning of the 19th century. By the 1840s, some 2,000 clocks were being completed each year. Over the years, they were produced in various styles with both wooden and metal casing. The smaller pendulum clocks which were also produced became popular too. By the end of the 19th century, production came to a halt as industrially produced clocks became far cheaper than Bornholm's handcrafted artefacts.
Landmarks
The city is characterised by its quaint cobblestoned streets and low-timbered houses in some parts. Two streets of particular interest are the Laksegade and Storegade as they contain many historical houses which were once the homes and trade buildings of merchants and noblemen. Notable landmarks include the Bornholm MuseumBornholm Museum
The Bornholm Museum is a museum located in Rønne, Bornholm, Denmark. The museum gives a history of Rønne and the island of Bornholm, dating from the Paleolithic era to the modern age, including the history of occupied Bornholm during World War II...
, the Defence Museum (Forsvarsmuseet), the church (Skt Nicolaj Kirke), and the Smedegårds riding school in the southern part of town, and the lighthouse, which was built in 1880.
The Bornholm Museum offers an insight into the history of Rønne and the island of Bornholm, dating from the Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
era to the modern age, including the history of occupied Bornholm during World War II. The museum houses a number of Nordic Bronze Age
Nordic Bronze Age
The Nordic Bronze Age is the name given by Oscar Montelius to a period and a Bronze Age culture in Scandinavian pre-history, c. 1700-500 BC, with sites that reached as far east as Estonia. Succeeding the Late Neolithic culture, its ethnic and linguistic affinities are unknown in the absence of...
and Iron Age artefacts relating to the island and uses a Mjolnir, discovered in Bornholm
Bornholm
Bornholm is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea located to the east of the rest of Denmark, the south of Sweden, and the north of Poland. The main industries on the island include fishing, arts and crafts like glass making and pottery using locally worked clay, and dairy farming. Tourism is...
, but now housed in the National Museum of Denmark
National Museum of Denmark
The National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest museum of cultural history, comprising the histories of Danish and foreign cultures, alike. The museum's main domicile is located a short distance from Strøget at the center of Copenhagen. It contains exhibits from around the world,...
, as its logo. It also has a notable collection of Roman coins, pottery and paintings.
The Skt. Nicolaj Church with its distinctive tower is part of the Diocese of Copenhagen
Diocese of Copenhagen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church named after its episcopal see, the Danish national capital, Copenhagen...
and in its present form was enlarged and fully refurbished in 1918. It stands on the site of an earlier church or chapel from the 13th century of which some sections can still be seen.
Forsvarsmuseet, or Rønne Defence Museum, is housed in a round tower with walls 3.5 m thick known as Kastellet or the citadel. Built in 1744 to contribute to the town's defences, there was never any occasion for it to be used. The museum has numerous artefacts related to military history such as guns, baldes, bombs and uniforms. Store Torv, the central square, was formerly used for military parades. Several notable buildings lie in the heart of the town, including the Rønne Public Library, the Nordeabank and old merchant/noble warehouses and residence buildings. Buildings of note include Erichsens Gård
Erichsens Gård
Erichsens Gård is Rønnes best kept commoners house and now part of Bornholms Museum.Erichsens Gård was build in 1806 and expanded in the 1830's and 1840's. It was Henning Pedersen, who drew Rønne Præstegård and the old city hall on Rønne's Store Torv who lived there between 1816 and 37.Erichsens...
, built in 1806 and now a museum, the neo-classical Kommandantgården, built in 1846 and now a ceramics museum, and the Amtmandsgården, located at Storegade 36. The Toldboden is a merchant warehouse, built in 1624, and is one of Rønne's oldest half-timbered buildings. The Torhus building, at the side of the square, was built in 1834 and was the former town hall, courthouse and jail. Rønne Theatre built in 1823 is Denmark's oldest provincial theatre still in active use. Hovedvagten at Søndergade 12 was built as a guard house in 1744 with bricks from Hammershus
Hammershus
Hammershus is Northern Europe's largest medieval fortification, situated above sea level on Hammeren, the northern tip of the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Erected in the 13th century, it was long believed that the castle was built as a private residence for the archbishop of Lund...
which was being demolished at the time. It is the oldest brick house in the town.
Transportation
Rønne is connected to the rest of Denmark and to the outside world by ferry lines. BornholmerFærgen operates the lines to KøgeKøge
Køge Municipality is a municipality in Region Sjælland on the east coast of the island of Zealand approx. 40 km. southwest of Copenhagen. The municipality covers an area of 255 km² , and has a total population of 56,637...
, Ystad
Ystad
Ystad is a "locality", or town, and the seat of Ystad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden, with 17,286 inhabitants .Settlement dates back to the 11th century and the town has become a busy ferryport, local administrative centre and tourist attraction...
and Sassnitz
Sassnitz
Sassnitz is a town on the Jasmund peninsula, Rügen Island, in the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The population as of 2007 was 10,747....
, while Polferries
Polferries
Polferries is the largest Polish ferry operator.The Polish Baltic Shipping Company was established on 31 January 1976 as a state-owned shipping company. Under the operating name Polferries, the company runs ferry routes across the Baltic Sea between Poland and Scandinavia.In 1996 Polferries...
operates the line to Świnoujście
Swinoujscie
Świnoujście is a city and seaport on the Baltic Sea and Szczecin Lagoon, located in the extreme north-west of Poland. It is situated mainly on the islands of Uznam and Wolin, but also occupies smaller islands, of which the largest is Karsibór island, once part of Usedom, now separated by a Piast...
.
The boat to Ystad is a high-speed catamaran, and there is a matching direct-train connection from Ystad to Copenhagen.
Outside Rønne, Bornholm Airport offers flights to Copenhagen and to some summer destinations.
Sister cities
KuressaareKuressaare
Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706 Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706...
Mänttä
Mänttä
Mänttä is a former town and municipality of Finland. It was merged with the municipality of Vilppula to form Mänttä-Vilppula on 1 January 2009....
Høyanger
Høyanger
is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sogn. The administrative center is the village of Høyanger, which has 2177 inhabitants . Other villages in Høyanger include Lavik, Kyrkjebø, Austreim, and Vadheim...
Darlowo
Darlowo
Darłowo is a town at the south coast of the Baltic Sea in Middle Pomerania, north-western Poland, with 14,931 inhabitants...
Wladyslawowo
Wladyslawowo
Władysławowo is a town on the south coast of the Baltic Sea in the Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania region, northern Poland, with 15,015 inhabitants.-Overview:...
Karlshamn
Karlshamn
Karlshamn is a locality and the seat of Karlshamn Municipality in Blekinge County, Sweden with 12,957 inhabitants of the city core and 30 918 in the municipality ....
Ronneby
Ronneby
Ronneby is a locality and the seat of Ronneby Municipality in Blekinge County, Sweden with 11,767 inhabitants in 2005.Ronneby is regarded as the heart of "the Garden of Sweden", and in 2005 the park "Brunnsparken" in Ronneby was voted Sweden's most beautiful park. 2006 the park was voted Europe's...
Simrishamn
Simrishamn
Simrishamn is a locality and the seat of Simrishamn Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 6,546 inhabitants in 2005. Simrishamn is, despite its small population, for historical reasons normally still referred to as a city....
Sölvesborg
Sölvesborg
Sölvesborg is a locality and the seat of Sölvesborg Municipality in Blekinge County, Sweden with 7,883 inhabitants in 2005.Sölvesborg is, despite its small population, for historical reasons normally still referred to as a city...
Neustadt
Neustadt in Holstein
Neustadt in Holstein is a town in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated on the Bay of Lübeck , approx...
Wolgast
Wolgast
Wolgast is a town in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated on the bank of the river Peenestrom, vis-a-vis the island of Usedom that can be accessed by road and railway via a bascule bridge...
San Marino