Hjorths Fabrik – Working Ceramics Factory & Museum in Rønne
Step into a 19th‑century ceramics factory in central Rønne where kilns still glow, clay still turns on the wheel, and 150 years of Bornholm stoneware come to life.
Hjorths Fabrik in central Rønne is a living ceramics factory and museum where stoneware has been produced since 1862. Set within one of Scandinavia’s best-preserved industrial sites, it combines working workshops, atmospheric historic buildings and curated exhibitions tracing 150 years of Bornholm ceramics. Visitors can follow the full process from raw clay to finished piece, join guided tours, and browse a beautifully styled shop selling handmade tableware still produced on-site.
A brief summary to Hjorths Fabrik
- Krystalgade 5, Rønne, 3700, DK
- +4526215565
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least 1–1.5 hours so you can both explore the museum rooms and spend unhurried time watching activity in the working workshops.
- Aim for a day with a scheduled introduction or guided tour if you want deeper context on the Hjorth family, the kilns and the collection.
- If you hope to buy specific tableware, visit earlier in the day when the full range is usually on display and staff can advise on combinations.
- The complex has uneven floors and narrow passages; wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time if you have limited mobility.
- Photography is generally welcomed in exhibition areas, but always check for signs or ask staff before shooting in the active workshops.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Local bus from Bornholm Airport
From Bornholm Airport near Rønne, take a regional bus towards the town centre; the journey typically takes 10–20 minutes depending on the route and traffic. A single ticket usually costs around DKK 24–30 and can be bought from the driver or ticket machines. Buses run several times per hour on weekdays but less frequently in the evening and on weekends, so check schedules in advance. From the central area it is a short, level walk through town streets to reach the factory.
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Ferry arrival at Rønne Harbour plus walk
If you arrive on Bornholm by ferry to Rønne Harbour, you can walk into the town centre in around 15–25 minutes depending on your pace. The route follows paved urban streets and gentle inclines, making it straightforward for most visitors, although it may feel long with heavy luggage. Taxis are usually available at the harbour if you prefer a quick 5–10 minute ride, with fares commonly in the DKK 80–140 range within central Rønne.
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Taxi within Rønne and nearby areas
Taxis in and around Rønne provide a flexible way to reach Hjorths Fabrik, especially if you are travelling in a small group or have limited mobility. Journeys from most parts of town usually take 5–10 minutes, while trips from outlying villages on Bornholm often range from 15–30 minutes. Typical starting tariffs and per‑kilometre rates mean a short ride within Rønne may cost about DKK 80–160, increasing for longer distances. It is advisable to book ahead in high season or evenings when demand can be high.
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Cycling from elsewhere on Bornholm
Bornholm is known for its cycle‑friendly roads and marked paths, making a bike trip to Rønne an appealing option in mild weather. Depending on your starting point, rides from nearby coastal towns can take 30–90 minutes at a relaxed pace. Expect rolling terrain with occasional hills and variable wind along the coast. If you hire a bicycle locally, day rental prices are often in the DKK 100–200 range, with additional fees for electric bikes. Secure stands and railings in central Rønne make it easy to lock your bike before walking into the factory complex.
Hjorths Fabrik location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Hjorths Fabrik
Historic kilns in the heart of Rønne
Hjorths Fabrik occupies a cluster of low, timeworn buildings tucked into Krystalgade, a reminder that Bornholm’s ceramic story began long before today’s design boutiques. Founded in 1862 as a family-run stoneware factory, it has been working continuously on this same site, making it one of Scandinavia’s best-preserved industrial monuments. Stepping through the gate, you move from modern Rønne into an intimate courtyard framed by workshops, kilns and storage sheds that still echo with the routines of a 19th‑century factory. Inside, original equipment, brick kilns and clay cellars reveal how industrial craft once powered the island’s economy. The museum presents the Hjorth family’s role in shaping Bornholm’s reputation for durable, beautifully fired stoneware, while also setting their work in a wider context of Danish design and everyday life.Following the journey from clay to table
A visit here is structured around the making process. Exhibits and workshop views guide you from heavy blocks of clay in the cellar through kneading, throwing, turning, glazing and firing. Clear displays explain how a single cup can pass through many hands over several weeks before it is ready for use, underlining the patience and repetition behind apparently simple forms. Depending on the season, you may see potters at the wheel, glazers at work or kilns being packed. Tools are often left as if just put down, reinforcing the sense of an active workplace rather than a static display. Text panels and arranged shelves trace shifting styles from robust brown jugs and patterned dinner sets to more restrained contemporary silhouettes produced for modern restaurants and homes.Exhibitions of Bornholm ceramics past and present
Alongside production spaces, galleries in the old factory buildings show curated collections of historic and contemporary ceramics. One section focuses on more than a century of Hjorth designs, from early utilitarian ware to mid‑20th‑century pieces that tracked changing tastes in Danish households. Another highlights the broader Bornholm tradition, bringing together stoneware from other island workshops and illustrating how local clay, firing techniques and decoration evolved over time. Regular temporary shows introduce invited artists and small thematic projects, using the factory as a backdrop for new ideas in clay. This mix keeps the museum anchored in its own history while remaining closely connected to an island that continues to attract ceramicists and design professionals.A working shop for handmade stoneware
The museum shop feels like a carefully edited extension of the exhibitions. Shelves are stacked with tableware produced a few steps away: sturdy plates, tactile cups, teapots and serving dishes, often in small series. Many pieces draw on older Hjorth shapes but reinterpret them with updated glazes or proportions, while others are clearly contemporary collaborations linked to high‑profile Danish restaurants and food projects. Prices reflect the labour‑intensive, handmade nature of the work, but there are usually smaller items that make attainable souvenirs. Because production runs are small and each piece is finished by hand, no two items are exactly alike, reinforcing the connection between the object you buy and the factory environment you have just explored.Atmosphere, garden corners and guided insights
What makes Hjorths Fabrik memorable is its scale and mood. The factory complex is compact, with narrow passages, low ceilings and occasional glimpses into the courtyard garden where finished pieces sometimes catch the light. It invites slow wandering, pausing to examine glazes, fingerprints or tool marks left in clay. The soundscape is gentle: the hum of a wheel, quiet conversation from the workshop, footsteps on worn floors. Guided introductions offered on selected days bring the story of the Hjorth family, the building and Bornholm’s ceramics into sharper focus, often adding anecdotes that tie particular shapes or glazes to turning points in the factory’s history. Whether you stay for an hour or let the rhythm of the working day unfold around you, Hjorths Fabrik offers a concentrated encounter with Danish craft at source.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Den russiske bjørn
0.3 km
Explore the enchanting Den russiske bjørn in Rønne, a unique tourist attraction steeped in local culture and history, perfect for memorable experiences.
Ronne Lighthouse
0.4 km
A slender white cast-iron lighthouse above Rønne’s harbour, once a vital guiding light and now a simple, elegant symbol of Bornholm’s maritime gateway.
Destination Bornholm ApS
0.4 km
Discover the enchanting Danish island of Bornholm, where stunning landscapes meet rich cultural traditions and unforgettable experiences await.
Bornholms Ø-arkiv
0.7 km
Bornholm's premier archive preserving centuries of island genealogy and local history.
Asylcenter Rønne & Segen
0.9 km
Experience community living at Asylcenter Rønne & Segen, a unique apartment-style accommodation in beautiful Bornholm, Denmark.
Slemmegrav
2.3 km
Explore the rich history and stunning architecture of Slemmegrav, a hidden gem in Rønne, Denmark, perfect for history lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Klintebakken
14.3 km
A billion-year geological journey where ancient granite meets younger sandstone at Bornholm's most scientifically significant fault line.
Vang Pier
16.0 km
Granite monument and sandy beach where Bornholm's industrial past meets modern recreation.
Domen
20.9 km
Geometric wooden dome on Allinge’s seafront, blending Baltic views, Folkemødet history and flexible cultural life in one striking, light-filled shell.
Melsted Havn
21.4 km
An authentic 1884 granite harbour preserving Bornholm's fishing heritage between protective skerries.
Geografisk knudepunkt
22.4 km
Where latitude and longitude meet: Denmark's geographic heart on the Bornholm coast.
Louisenlund
23.9 km
Over 50 ancient standing stones in a mystical woodland setting, revealing Bornholm's Neolithic ritual landscape.
Midterpilt
25.1 km
A modest stone cairn marking the highest point of Paradisbakkerne, Midterpilt is a quiet waypoint on Bornholm’s wildest woodland and heathland hiking routes.
Snogebæk Havn
28.2 km
Bornholm's easternmost harbor where fishing tradition, artisan culture, and pristine beaches converge.
Svaneke Havn
28.7 km
Experience the serene beauty and cultural charm of Svaneke Havn, a picturesque marina on the enchanting island of Bornholm, Denmark.
Unmissable attractions to see
Erichsens Gård
0.1 km
Step through a low timbered doorway into 19th‑century Bornholm life, where a merchant’s home and secret garden in Rønne quietly preserve stories of art, family and island culture.
St Nicholas Church
0.4 km
Historic hilltop parish church above Rønne’s harbour, blending 13th‑century roots, Bornholm granite craft and a living musical tradition in a serene Baltic setting.
Bornholms Museum
0.4 km
Bornholm’s cultural heart in Rønne, where gold hoards, island clocks, and wartime stories trace 10,000 years of Baltic island history under one roof.
Bornholm Airport
5.0 km
Denmark's state-operated island gateway connecting Bornholm to Copenhagen and beyond.
Bagågraven
5.5 km
A former coastal clay pit turned wild hollow, where Jurassic layers, dinosaur history and Baltic waves meet just north of Rønne on Bornholm.
New Church
6.1 km
Historic seafaring heritage and coastal resilience at an evocative museum on Nexø’s bustling harbor, revealing Bornholm’s maritime stories and post-war rebuilding.
Slaus Stene
6.3 km
A whimsical forest of granite faces and folklore near Rønne, where local craftsman Slaus carved myths, trolls and stories into the Bornholm woods.
Kultippen Hasle
7.6 km
A stark, moonlike coal tip above a soft Baltic beach, where Bornholm’s industrial past meets wild forest and wide, west-coast horizons.
Bornholms Rovfugleshow
7.9 km
Immersive birds-of-prey shows and evolution-themed encounters on Bornholm, where owls, falcons, reptiles and farm animals turn science into a full, family-friendly day out.
Hasle Strand
8.0 km
Long west-coast sands, quiet dunes and pine-backed shoreline where Bornholm’s soft side meets big Baltic sunsets just south of the harbor town of Hasle.
Nylars Church
8.2 km
Discover Bornholm’s dramatic maritime, wartime, and everyday history in a harborside museum filled with evocative exhibitions and authentic local stories.
The Brogård stone
8.6 km
Bornholm’s largest Viking runestone, standing quietly by a country road near Hasle, where clear runes in granite still tell a thousand-year-old story.
Lundestenen Jættestue
8.7 km
Quietly resting in a Bornholm field, Lundestenen Jættestue invites you into one of Denmark’s largest Stone Age passage graves for a brief, evocative step back in time.
Bornholms Center for Kunsthåndværk - Grønbechs Gård
9.0 km
A historic merchant’s house in Hasle transformed into Bornholm’s vibrant hub for contemporary ceramics, glass and design – with galleries, shop and café under one roof.
Kræmmerhuset Kunsthåndværk
9.9 km
A historic Bornholm schoolhouse where island ceramics, textiles and a 7,000 m² flower garden come together in a relaxed, countryside craft and garden escape.
Essential places to dine
Casa Mia Di Vincenzo Guastafierro
0.1 km
A cosy Italian pearl in the heart of Rønne, serving generous pizzas, pastas and island‑evening warmth under the glow of a neighbourhood trattoria.
Det Røde Pakhus
0.2 km
Modern Bornholm cuisine in a historic red warehouse, where harbour and forest ingredients meet thoughtful cooking in the heart of Rønne.
Café-Munter
0.2 km
Lively all-day café on Rønne’s main square, serving hearty comfort food, great coffee and cakes with a front-row view of Bornholm’s everyday life.
Texas Bornholm
0.2 km
Hearty American comfort food, cold drinks and year‑round street‑side seating in the middle of Rønne’s bustling pedestrian heart on the island of Bornholm.
Snurra
0.2 km
Daytime patisserie-meets-brasserie in central Rønne, serving sourdough buns, cakes, coffee and casual Nordic plates in a cosy, modern café setting.
Râzapâz
0.3 km
Natural wine, seasonal plates and bohemian charm come together at this intimate Rønne spiseri, where Bornholm’s culinary energy is poured by the glass.
Hovedvagten
0.4 km
Historic 18th‑century guardhouse turned cozy Danish restaurant, serving Bornholm‑inspired comfort food in the atmospheric heart of Rønne’s old town.
Hasle Smokehouse
8.6 km
Historic alderwood smokehouses on Bornholm’s west coast, where traditional smoked fish, casual dining and Baltic Sea views meet in one atmospheric seaside stop.
The Ranch
12.6 km
Western-inspired group dining and celebrations in a former community hall on Bornholm, blending hearty cooking with relaxed, village-saloon atmosphere.
Restaurant Bolsterbjerg v/Lola Mortensen
12.9 km
Countryside Danish cooking in a leafy Bornholm garden, where classic comfort dishes meet a tranquil event‑ready setting just outside Rønne.
Restaurant Ekkodalshuset
13.3 km
Hearty Danish lunches and giant tartlets served in a cozy forest inn beside Bornholm’s echo valley, perfectly paired with walks in Almindingen.
Christianshøjkroen
13.5 km
Historic yellow forest kro on Bornholm serving refined Danish smørrebrød and Skovfrokost in a cosy cottage and garden terrace deep among the trees.
Le Port i Vang på Bornholm
16.4 km
Clifftop gourmet dining on Bornholm’s wild northwest coast, where refined French‑Nordic cuisine meets sweeping Baltic Sea sunsets over Vang and Hammershus.
Stammershalle Badehotel
18.6 km
Historic 1911 seaside bathing hotel on Bornholm’s wild north coast, pairing Baltic Sea panoramas and rocky swims with refined Nordic dining and quiet coastal charm.
Restaurant Margeritten
20.4 km
Casual Danish family restaurant on Allinge’s church square, serving generous classics, pizzas and a salad bar in relaxed, central surroundings.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Din Tøjmand by Jan & Nalle
0.2 km
Bornholm's trusted menswear specialist on the heart of Rønne's main shopping street.
William Dams Bookstore
0.2 km
One of Denmark’s oldest family-run bookshops, blending 19th‑century heritage, live culture and 20,000+ books in the heart of Rønne’s main square.
sNoir
0.2 km
Cosy Bornholm lifestyle boutique for women, offering inclusive sizes, Scandinavian-inspired fashion, lingerie and accessories in the heart of Rønne’s Snellemark centre.
KiDS Coolshop Bornholm
0.2 km
Scandinavia's coolest toy destination where children explore, play, and discover their next favorite adventure.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
0.2 km
A small, colorful universe of Scandinavian-designed gifts, gadgets and creative essentials in the heart of Rønne, perfect for playful souvenirs and practical finds.
People-Fashion.dk
0.2 km
Intimate Scandinavian womenswear boutique in central Rønne, blending slow fashion, natural fabrics and easy Nordic style with Bornholm’s relaxed island atmosphere.
Snellemark Centret
0.2 km
Bornholm's main shopping destination, conveniently located near the ferry terminal in charming Rønne.
Sct. Nicolai Genbrug
0.4 km
Volunteer-run thrift shop in central Rønne, where low-priced second-hand clothing and curios support local church social work and sustainable shopping on Bornholm.
Sport Dres Bornholm v/Jesper Schiøtt
0.9 km
Compact but expertly stocked fishing specialist in central Rønne, where Bornholm’s anglers gear up, swap tips and prepare for time on the island’s lakes and coasts.
Torvehal Bornholm
1.2 km
Compact Bornholm food hall and roastery café in Rønne, bringing local flavours, natural groceries and island coffee culture together under one relaxed roof.
Dansk
1.4 km
Relaxed, value-focused clothing outlet in Rønne offering practical Danish fashion and everyday basics for the whole family, with a cosy coffee corner on site.
The Bornholm Farm Shop
8.5 km
Cooperative countryside farm shop near Rønne, bringing Bornholm’s meats, oils, honey, lambskins and island delicacies together in a relaxed rural setting.
Bornholmsk Pileflet
12.9 km
A small rural workshop in Klemensker where traditional willow weaving becomes functional art and intimate encounters with Bornholm’s craft heritage unfold.
Bornholms Valsemølle A/S
14.5 km
Working island flour mill and cozy farm shop where Bornholm grain becomes characterful flour and local delicacies in the heart of Aakirkeby.
Sparloppan
14.7 km
Quirky flea market, art gallery and cosy café gathered on one floor above Aakirkeby’s town square, mixing retro treasures, local creativity and relaxed Bornholm hygge.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Café 18
0.1 km
Casual bodega and cocktail bar where Rønne locals gather for coffee, conversation, and evening drinks.
Krystal Bodega
0.1 km
No‑frills local pub in central Rønne, serving cold beers, bar games and late‑night Bornholm atmosphere in classic Danish bodega style.
O'Malley
0.2 km
Cosy Irish pub and sports bar in central Rønne, pouring stout and whiskies, screening live games and hosting lively evenings on Bornholm’s main town square.
Den Marinerede Sild
0.3 km
A snug, Bornholm-flavoured pub on Lille Torv in central Rønne, pouring local craft beers and cocktails in a warm, intimate setting with easy island charm.
Café Lille Per
0.4 km
Local bodega charm on Rønne’s central square, where simple drinks, easygoing vibes and everyday Bornholm life meet in one relaxed café-bar.
Pølse baren på Campus Bornholm
1.2 km
Casual sausage bar on Campus Bornholm serving traditional Danish pølser to students and visitors.
Ølhuzed ApS
9.1 km
Cosy craft beer bar in the heart of Hasle, pouring Bornholm brews and European favourites with simple tapas, nachos and an easygoing neighbourhood vibe.
Dagligstuen
14.7 km
Aakirkeby's unpretentious beer hall and community gathering space on the main square.
Buddha Bar
14.7 km
Relaxed, Asian‑tinged bar on Aakirkeby’s central square, ideal for casual drinks, simple bites and unhurried people‑watching at the heart of inland Bornholm.
Cabaret Bornholm
16.5 km
Intimate cocktail and tapas bar bringing a touch of cabaret flair and late‑night atmosphere to the quiet coastal town of Allinge on Bornholm.
Penyllan Brewery
18.5 km
Harbourfront craft brewery on Bornholm’s north coast, blending barrel-aged beer, Nordic flavours and Baltic sea views in a relaxed, intimate taproom.
Pilen bar & bodega
20.4 km
Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Allinge, serving cold beers, hearty plates and laid‑back Bornholm nightlife from lunchtime until late.
Ølstauan
20.6 km
Harbourside Bornholm bar where local craft beers, hearty Danish comfort food and Baltic Sea views come together in a relaxed, grown‑up atmosphere.
Underbar
21.3 km
Intimate cliffside bar beneath Hotel Nordlandet, where Nordic cocktails, candlelight and big Baltic horizons turn Bornholm’s wild north coast into your living room.
Provianten
21.3 km
Cozy harbor-side wine bar and eatery in Gudhjem, blending thoughtful drinks, simple honest food and Bornholm’s relaxed coastal atmosphere.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly