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Bornholmertårnet – Cold War Tower at Dueodde

Former top-secret NATO listening post turned Cold War museum, crowned by a 70 m viewing tower with sweeping panoramas over Dueodde and eastern Bornholm.

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Bornholmertårnet is a former top-secret NATO listening post near Dueodde on Bornholm, transformed into an immersive Cold War and World War II museum. Inside the 1300 m² bunker-like facility, exhibitions of photos, films, machines and original equipment reveal how Denmark monitored Warsaw Pact communications and how Bornholm was bombed in 1945. The highlight is the 70 m tower with elevator access and sweeping views over Dueodde’s dunes and eastern Bornholm.

A brief summary to Bornholmertarnet

  • Strandmarksvejen 2, Nexø, 3730, DK
  • +4540205240
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Allow at least 2–3 hours so you have time both for the exhibitions and for unhurried views from the top of the 70 m tower.
  • Bring a windproof layer; even on warm days the exposed viewing platform can feel breezy compared with the sheltered exhibitions inside.
  • If you dislike long stair climbs, use the elevator in the tower; those comfortable with heights may enjoy walking one way to appreciate the structure.
  • Combine your visit with time on Dueodde Beach nearby to make a full day that blends Cold War history and Bornholm’s coastal scenery.
  • Most information is text- and film-based, so consider bringing reading glasses or downloading translation apps if you need language support.
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Getting There

  • Car from Nexø and eastern Bornholm

    From central Nexø, reaching Bornholmertårnet by car typically takes around 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic and seasonal congestion near Dueodde. The route follows paved local roads through villages and forest. There is on-site parking close to the entrance, though spaces can fill quickly during peak summer weeks. Fuel costs are modest for the short distance, and there is no additional road toll. The approach is straightforward for standard vehicles and suitable for families.

  • Car from Rønne and western Bornholm

    Travellers staying near Rønne can expect a driving time of about 35–45 minutes to Bornholmertårnet, using the island’s main cross-Bornholm route before turning towards the southern coast. The roads are paved and in good condition, but speed limits and occasional slow-moving traffic through villages extend the journey slightly. Parking at the attraction itself is free or low-cost, depending on current arrangements, and there are no special vehicle requirements.

  • Local bus plus short walk

    In season, regional buses connect Nexø and Rønne with stops in the Dueodde area, from which a final walk of more than 1 km on relatively flat terrain leads to Bornholmertårnet. Journey times from Nexø are usually 20–30 minutes, while from Rønne they are closer to 45–60 minutes. A single adult ticket on Bornholm’s buses typically costs in the range of 25–50 DKK depending on distance and ticket type. Services run less frequently outside the main summer months, so checking timetable information in advance is important.

  • Cycling on Bornholm’s bike network

    Bornholm is well known for its cycle routes, and confident cyclists can reach Bornholmertårnet from Nexø in around 30–45 minutes and from Dueodde accommodations in roughly 15–25 minutes. The ride follows a mix of smaller roads and dedicated paths, with gentle hills and occasional forest sections. There is space to lock bicycles near the entrance, but no guarded parking. Strong winds along the coast and changing weather should be considered when planning a cycling visit.

Bornholmertarnet location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather

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From Secret Listening Post to Open Museum

Bornholmertårnet sits quietly in the dunes near Dueodde, but for decades this was one of Denmark’s most secretive military sites. Built as a NATO listening post during the Cold War, it formed part of a dense network of surveillance stations monitoring radio communications from the Warsaw Pact countries across the Baltic. For many years the installation did not appear on ordinary maps; access was strictly controlled, and the work carried out here was highly classified. Today the former spy facility has been transformed into an experience centre that finally lifts the veil on this hidden chapter of Bornholm’s story. Visitors move through corridors and control rooms that once housed intelligence officers and technicians, turning an abstract period in history into something you can stand inside and sense physically.

War Stories Told in Concrete and Steel

Inside the 1300 m² complex you find large-scale photo exhibitions, archival material and film sequences that trace Bornholm’s military role from the Second World War through the height of the East–West confrontation. Panels and displays explain how, uniquely in Denmark, the island was bombed in 1945 and subsequently occupied by Soviet forces even after the rest of the country was liberated. The rooms retain much of their original character, with heavy doors, cable runs and equipment racks hinting at the intense activity that once filled the site. Machinery, radios and technical devices illustrate how signals intelligence was gathered, processed and shared. Rather than focusing on battles, the narrative follows the more hidden world of surveillance, secrecy and political tension that defined the Cold War years.

Climbing to Bornholm’s Panoramic Viewpoint

The museum’s landmark is the 70 m high tower rising above the pine forest and coastal dunes. Built to carry radar and listening equipment high above the surrounding landscape, it now serves as one of the island’s most expansive viewpoints. An elevator makes the ascent straightforward, while those who prefer the physical challenge can tackle the hundreds of steps that spiral towards the top platform. From the viewing deck the scene opens in all directions. To one side stretch the bright sands of Dueodde and the shifting dunes of southern Bornholm; to another, farmland and forest patchwork towards Nexø and the island’s eastern coast. On clear days the Baltic horizon seems almost endless, emphasising how strategic this vantage point once was for scanning the sea and airspace beyond.

Cold War Technology and Everyday Life on the Frontline

Back at ground level, smaller rooms explore both the technology and the human side of life at the station. Exhibits show how data was stored and cooled, including the large outdoor cooling installation that once kept server rooms at stable temperatures. The old incinerator for destroying classified documents still stands as a stark reminder of the lengths taken to keep information secure. Text, images and film clips describe how soldiers and intelligence staff lived and worked in a place where routine, vigilance and silence were part of everyday life. The displays place the station within the broader political climate, explaining why a small island in the Baltic could become an important listening ear for NATO throughout the second half of the twentieth century.

Outdoor Traces and Activities for All Ages

Outside the main building you can wander among remnants of technical installations that once supported the listening operations. The scale of the infrastructure becomes clearer in the open air: cables, pipes and solid concrete structures embedded in the landscape. Informative signs help decode what you are seeing, bridging the gap between military engineering and civilian understanding. Families will find hands-on elements that turn the serious subject matter into accessible learning. Various activities invite younger visitors to engage with the theme of espionage and code-breaking in a playful yet informative way, encouraging them to imagine how it felt to work in an environment built on secrets.

Planning Your Time at the Tower

A visit to Bornholmertårnet combines time indoors with fresh air at the tower and around the grounds, making it suitable in a wide range of weather conditions. Most exhibitions are under cover, so rain and wind are less of a concern, while the rooftop platform is best appreciated on clearer days when visibility is high. Allow enough time to both explore the historical material and enjoy the view from the top without rushing between the two. The site is compact enough to explore comfortably in a half day, yet detailed enough in its storytelling to reward those who prefer to linger over the films and information boards. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a Cold War buff, or simply curious about the striking tower visible from Dueodde’s beaches, the combination of architecture, landscape and narrative makes the experience distinctive on Bornholm.

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