Rønne Lighthouse (Rønne Bagfyr)

A white sentinel above Bornholm’s main harbour

Rønne Lighthouse stands on a low rise just back from the harbour basin, its slim white silhouette cutting cleanly against the Baltic sky. Built in 1880 as a copy of the harbour lighthouse in Ystad, southern Sweden, it was positioned to give ships a clear directional light as they threaded the approaches into Bornholm’s principal port. The tower’s modest height is offset by its elevated site, making it visible from ferries and cruise ships as they glide into Rønne. The structure itself is a cast-iron cylinder, with subtle ribbing and a narrow gallery balcony beneath the lantern. Up close, you can see bolts, seams and small access hatches that hint at 19th‑century engineering rather than monumental masonry. The clean white paint, often freshly maintained, contrasts with the brick and stone of the neighbouring church and harbour buildings, giving the lighthouse a crisp, almost nautical neatness.

From working light to enduring maritime symbol

For more than a century, Rønne Lighthouse functioned as a working aid to navigation, paired with other lights outside the harbour to guide captains safely to the quays. In 1989 it was decommissioned, its beam replaced by modern navigational systems and outer lighthouses, but the tower itself was preserved. Today it no longer flashes across the water, yet it still acts as a visual anchor for anyone arriving by sea. The lighthouse’s location just below St Nicolas’ Church underlines Rønne’s long relationship with the sea. The church, with origins in the 13th century, once watched over a community of fishermen and traders who depended on safe landfalls. The lighthouse added a practical, modern counterpart to that spiritual guardianship, and together they form an instantly recognisable skyline for Bornholm’s capital.

A quiet stop in the heart of Rønne’s waterfront

Visiting Rønne Lighthouse is less about a formal attraction and more about appreciating a small but characterful piece of the town’s fabric. There is no large visitor centre or elaborate exhibition here; instead, the experience is of standing beside the tower, feeling the breeze, and looking out over the harbour where ferries, fishing boats and leisure craft share the water. Around the base, you can trace how the lighthouse fits into a working port: bollards, quays, warehouses and the occasional cruise ship form a constantly changing backdrop. A short stroll away, cobbled streets lead into the old town, while the sea view opens towards the wider Baltic. When the light is soft in the evening, the white tower takes on warmer tones, and its simple geometry makes it an inviting subject for photography.

Bornholm’s maritime story in microcosm

Though small, Rønne Lighthouse connects to a broader story of Bornholm as a crossroads in the Baltic. The island’s history includes Hanseatic merchants, Swedish and German influence, and the strategic use of its natural harbour. The lighthouse belongs to the late 19th‑century phase of that history, when improved navigation and harbour facilities underpinned trade and ferry links. Today, the structure is sometimes opened for special occasions, but even when closed it serves as an accessible, open‑air reminder of the era when iron lighthouses and oil or electric lamps revolutionised coastal sailing. For many travellers the tower is both first greeting and last farewell to Bornholm, a small, steadfast marker of the island’s relationship with the sea.

Planning a brief but memorable pause

Given its central position, Rønne Lighthouse is easy to include in a short harbour wander or a longer exploration of town sights such as St Nicolas’ Church and the nearby museum district. A quick visit of 15–30 minutes allows time to circle the tower, read any local information boards if present, and enjoy the harbour panorama. Those with more time can linger on nearby benches or low walls, watching the rhythms of port life: ferries docking, cyclists rolling along the waterfront, and seabirds riding the wind. In all seasons, the exposed position means conditions can feel cooler and windier than in the town’s sheltered streets, but that exposure is part of the lighthouse’s appeal—a reminder that this is where Rønne meets the Baltic.