– a historic lighthouse with views high above Hammerknuden
Hammeren Lighthouse stands high on Hammerknuden, surrounded by rocky outcrops, heathland and the open landscape of northern Bornholm. You already sense the elevation on the walk towards the lighthouse, but the main experience awaits inside the tower, where the view opens out across Hammeren and the Baltic Sea.
On clear days, the views are impressive. From the lighthouse you can see towards places including Gudhjem, Vang and Christiansø, and when visibility is especially good, all the way to Sweden.
The 21-metre-high lighthouse was built from Bornholm granite in 1872 close to Stejlebjerg, the highest point on Hammerknuden. This placed the lighthouse light as much as 91 metres above sea level – the highest focal height of any Danish lighthouse.
The high location did, however, have a drawback. When low clouds settled over Hammerknuden, the lighthouse light could be obscured. In 1895, it was therefore decided to build Hammer Odde Lighthouse farther north and considerably closer to sea level. Hammeren Lighthouse nevertheless remained in operation until 1990.
Today, the lighthouse is no longer operational, but the tower can be visited during the summer months when weather conditions allow. Admission is free, and the climb through the lighthouse takes you right up beneath the lantern and to the view from the top. The lighthouse buildings are owned by the Danish Nature Agency, while the former lighthouse keeper’s residence is now a private home.
Hammeren Lighthouse also stands in the heart of one of Bornholm’s most distinctive natural areas. Hammerknuden consists of exposed bedrock, heathland and coastal cliffs, and the area around the lighthouse forms part of the protected landscape of northern Bornholm.
