Bornholm Technical Collection (Bornholms Tekniske Samling)

A former farm turned island time capsule

Bornholm Technical Collection sits at Østre Borregård, a former farm once connected to the Hammershus estate on the island’s rugged north coast. Inside old barns and outbuildings, the museum now spreads over about 4,000 m², transforming agricultural courtyards into packed exhibition halls. Instead of livestock and hay, you find rows of tractors, old cars, tools and machines that once powered daily life on Bornholm. The setting still feels distinctly rural. Many of the buildings retain their original timber, whitewashed walls and big barn doors, so stepping inside feels like entering a working farm from another era. The contrast between rustic surroundings and humming rows of engines, polished metal and colourful signs gives the place a distinctive character that is both homely and fascinating.

Machines of work, transport and island industry

One major thread running through the collection is the story of work. Agricultural machinery dominates one wing, with tractors, ploughs, harvesters and hand tools that chart the shift from manual labour to mechanised farming. You can trace how Bornholm’s farmers moved from horse‑drawn implements to petrol and diesel power, gradually reshaping the landscape and the pace of rural life. Transport is another highlight. Classic cars, motorbikes and utility vehicles show how people and goods moved around the island before modern highways and ferries. In the outdoor areas and larger sheds, heavier equipment appears: from industrial engines to larger vehicles and, most dramatically, a combat aircraft that towers over smaller exhibits, underlining how global technology sometimes finds its way to this small Baltic island.

Everyday objects, radios and domestic nostalgia

Beyond big machines, the museum is full of small objects that once lived in Bornholm’s homes and workshops. Shelves of radios and televisions track the evolution from bulky wooden sets to sleek plastic designs, each one a reminder of evenings spent gathered around a single channel of news or entertainment. Old telephones, typewriters and office equipment show how communication and administration changed through the decades. Household appliances—from early washing machines to kitchen gadgets and electric irons—tell a quieter but important story about comfort, labour and free time. Toys, model cars and simple games add a playful note, hinting at childhoods shaped by clockwork, tinplate and early electronics instead of screens. Together they create an immersive picture of domestic life that is surprisingly easy to relate to.

Exploring at your own pace among dense displays

The experience here is less about formal showcases and more about wandering among densely packed displays. Items are often grouped by theme or function, encouraging you to follow your own curiosity rather than a strict route. You might drift from a row of vintage radios to a corner of workshop benches, then step outside to inspect tractors and larger machinery. Because many exhibits are arranged in open halls, there is a sense of discovery as you notice details on information signs, manufacturer plates or hand‑painted lettering. It is the sort of place where technically minded visitors can happily spend hours inspecting engineering solutions, while others simply enjoy recognising objects that match family stories and childhood memories.

Family‑friendly fun with a local Bornholm flavour

Bornholm Technical Collection is designed to appeal broadly. Children often gravitate toward the large machines, toys and anything with wheels or wings, while adults find themselves drawn into quiet nostalgia among radios, tools and household items. The museum’s spacious barns allow families to move comfortably between sections, and the rural setting lends a relaxed, unhurried feel. What ties everything together is a strong sense of place. Almost everything on display has some link to Bornholm—used on its farms, in its workshops, on its roads or in its homes. Rather than presenting anonymous technology, the museum shows how global inventions were adapted to a small Baltic island, making this not just a technical collection but a very personal slice of Bornholm’s social history.

Seasonal opening and practical expectations

The museum usually operates seasonally, opening daily in the daytime from spring through autumn, with a more limited schedule outside that period. Exhibitions are mostly indoors or under cover, so visits remain pleasant even on cooler or windier days. Lighting and pathways in the barns are generally good, though some floors can be slightly uneven, reflecting the site’s agricultural origins. Plan enough time to explore at a measured pace; there is more here than first impressions suggest. Many visitors find that what begins as a quick stop easily turns into several hours of slow wandering and quiet discovery among Bornholm’s accumulated technical treasures.