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Kanonstilling G3: Bornholm’s Preserved WWII German Artillery Site

Explore Kanonstilling G3—Bornholm’s best-preserved WWII German coastal artillery site—where history, dramatic bunkers, and sweeping Baltic views merge outside Nexø.

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Kanonstilling G3 near Nexø is an expertly restored World War II German cannon installation, offering a glimpse into Bornholm’s wartime history. Visitors find a large coastal bunker, authentic artillery pieces, and interpretive displays that vividly evoke the strategic tensions of the Baltic region. It’s a compelling stop for military history buffs and curious travelers alike.

A brief summary to Vingården Lille Gadegård

  • Monday 9 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-9 pm
  • Friday 9 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-9 pm

Local tips

  • Bring a flashlight for exploring the interior spaces and bunkers, as some areas can be quite dim.
  • Allow time for reading the interpretive panels, which offer context about Bornholm’s dramatic WWII and postwar history.
  • In windy or cool weather, pack a jacket—the open coastal site can be breezy year-round.
  • Parking may be limited near peak summer; consider cycling from Nexø or arriving early in the day.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Bornholm’s main town of Rønne, a drive along the island’s southern roads brings you past wide fields and glimpses of the Baltic. Close to Nexø, follow signs for historical attractions and coastal viewpoints. The cannon site stands near the southeastern shoreline, a short drive out from Nexø’s harbor and central cafés. Free, open-air parking is available on site, though it can fill quickly at peak times.

  • Public Transport

    Buses run regularly between Rønne and Nexø. Once in Nexø, the site is found at the town’s edge, within a longer stroll or a quick cycle past the marina and local schools. A standard bus fare across the island is usually around DKK 25–35 one-way.

  • Cycling/Walking

    For active travelers, well-marked cycling and walking paths from Nexø’s harbor lead out towards the rugged shoreline. The gun position is visible from the trail, and the walk or ride offers Baltic views alongside the historical approach.

  • Taxi

    A taxi ride from central Nexø to the site is a short hop, typically costing around DKK 60–80 depending on time of day and company.

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Discover more about Vingården Lille Gadegård

Set on the fringes of Nexø on the sun-drenched Baltic island of Bornholm, Kanonstilling G3 is not just a relic, but a uniquely preserved site capturing the complex history of Denmark’s Second World War experience. Originally constructed by German occupying forces, this formidable cannon position once stood ready to defend strategic supply routes and monitor Baltic movements. Today, the site has been carefully maintained to offer a multisensory journey into the anxieties and adrenaline of mid-20th-century Europe. The centerpiece is a massive coastal gun emplacement—one of several built by the Germans during their occupation of Bornholm. The heavy artillery remains impressively intact, flanked by concrete bunkers, shell rooms, and trenches etched into the landscape. Visitors can walk among relics like original ammunition, shell casings, and robust field fortifications, while informative panels bring to life the stories of soldiers who served here—and civilians whose lives were upended by fortification construction, occupation, and the later Soviet bombing of Bornholm in 1945. What distinguishes Kanonstilling G3 is its authentic atmosphere. Paint is worn, yet interpretation is clear and engaging; you can almost hear the clang of maintenance crews or the anxious lookout across the waves. The site’s open, slightly windswept placement on Bornholm’s southeastern shore provides not just sweeping Baltic sea views, but a striking sense of vulnerability and vigilance. Unlike Denmark’s more crowded tourism hubs, the installation is often tranquil, fostering quiet reflection on wartime geopolitics, collaboration, and resistance unique to this storied island. Especially engaging for families and history enthusiasts, Kanonstilling G3 makes tangible a pivotal, often overlooked, wartime chapter—one that shaped Bornholm’s modern identity.

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