Cycling Tour - Rotund Churches and Nature on Bornholm
A themed cycling tour is another of our suggestions for spending your holiday on a bike.
On the east of the island of Bornholm is Nexø - with almost 4,000 inhabitants, the second largest town on the island. Founded around a small harbour, Nexø has until today become the second important harbour town after the island's capital. Nexø's urban landscape offers a mix of old and new buildings, as well as a harbour environment and a lively market place. There we can visit one of the small shops, stop at a café or restaurant or visit the museum.
Nexø is the largest town on the east coast of Bornholm and the centre of island life. The beautiful half-timbered church in the town centre dates from the late Gothic period and is quite young compared to other churches on Bornholm. Around the church are many narrow streets, cobbled streets and colourful half-timbered houses.
When looking for accommodation in Nexø, there is a wide range of choices - holiday houses, guest houses, campsites and many holiday flats on Bornholm welcome holidaymakers to stay overnight. Nexø's beach is rocky, but still very popular. A special feature is the depth of the water. Here you need to watch out for small children!
Nexø received its town charter in 1346. Nexø was a small fishing village, but the rapidly developing sea fishing turned the town into the largest fishing port on Bornholm. The harbour was expanded in the 18th century.
Over the centuries, Nexø has had to deal with foreign rule several times, from Swedish invasions in the 17th and 18th centuries, to a major fire that destroyed a large part of the buildings in 1756.
Even the Second World War did not bypass the town. Because the commander of the German occupation forces did not surrender to the Soviet Red Army, they bombed both Nexø and Rønne in May 1945. The result was the great destruction of the two towns. You can find out more about the history of the town at the Nexø Museum.
Church - The townscape is defined by the church tower. This late Gothic church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of all sailors, as is St. Nicholas Church in Rønne. The white church with its imposing Renaissance half-timbered tower is characteristic of the townscape. In 1985, renovation of the interior of the church began. The work was completed in 1995.
Nexø Museum - The Nexø Museum is housed in an old warehouse just off the harbour. This museum presents the history of Bornholm and the town of Nexø in particular. The various exhibition rooms contain information boards, photographs, documents, weapons, tools, uniforms, flags and many other exhibits that clearly explain the historical development of the region to the visitor. The museum also has an exhibition on the time of the German occupation of Bornholm during the Second World War.
Martin Andersen Memorial House - One of Nexø's attractions, not only for literature lovers, is the Martin Andersen House. The small museum house is painted yellow and the bronze sculpture of the writer standing in front of the house indicates its famous former resident. Inside, you can learn a lot about the writer's life and work. Andersen became world-famous for his book 'Pelle der Eroberer'. In 1988, the film adaptation of the book won the Palme d'Or and an Oscar. Throughout his life, Andersen felt connected to the working class. The writer, who himself came from a poor background, addressed the problems of workers in Denmark in the early 20th century in many of his books, which were autobiographical in nature.
The Bornholm Railway Museum - De Bornholmske Jernbaner Museum - is located in Nexø harbour. Since 1994, the former boat shed has housed an exhibition on the history of railways on Bornholm. We can see extensive documentation with many photos, documents and exhibits. Restored locomotives, trailers, passenger carriages and a draisine are just some of the highlights. The history of the railway on Bornholm is vividly explained, because although there is no longer a railway on Bornholm today, it was a popular means of transport and important transport for the island's economy from 1900 to 1960.
Butterfly Park - Bornholms Sommerfuglepark - visitors to the island and town can spend exciting hours at the butterfly park on the edge of Nexø. In the tropical house, you can observe flying butterflies and moths, and the tropical flora is also very interesting. In addition to the colourful tropical butterflies, the park offers plenty of fun for the whole family. In front of the tropical house, a colourful park with many different flowering plants is beautifully laid out. A playground with a large wooden train is a great amenity for small visitors.
Swedish settlement - the colourful wooden houses on the outskirts of the town are the result of Nexø's tragic times in recent history. These are the houses that the Swedes built after the Soviet bombardment of the town in the last days of World War II to provide housing for the town's homeless population. The colourful wooden houses greet all visitors to Nexø who drive into Nexø from Østermarie.
Smokehouse - Slightly north of the harbour is Nexø's old smokehouse - Nexø Gamle Røgeri. There you can enjoy a typical Bornholm delicacy - smoked herring straight from the smokehouse.
Bodilsker - is a parish on the eastern side of the island of Bornholm, near Nexø. Approximately 930 people live in its area. The centre is the whitewashed Sankt Bodils Kirke, which, in a picturesque and typical Bornholm church style, is set in the landscape among the fields.
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The village is located about 5 km west of Nexø.
Balka - this small town is picturesquely situated directly between Snogebæk and Nexø on the east coast of Bornholm. Due to its fine sand, the beach in Balka has been recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The picturesque bathing bay connects directly to the northern part of Snogebæk beach. It stretches like a long sickle over a kilometre in length. The area is also frequented by water sports enthusiasts. The Nexo - Balka cycle path was built on the site of the Bornholm railway. An ornithological reserve, Hundsemyre, is located next to the cycle path.
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Cycle route Rønne - Dueodde
Snogebæk - is a small fishing village between Nexø and Dueodde, set among some of the most beautiful beaches on Bornholm. Snogebæk offers visitors the typical Bornholm maritime climate. This is mainly due to the characteristic small harbour, which can only be reached via a long bridge off the Baltic coast, and the almost obligatory herring smokehouse.
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Cycle route Svaneke - Rønne
Dueodde - Standing at the southern tip of Bornholm, you might think you are on a South Sea beach - only the exotic vegetation is missing. Dueodde is one of the most beautiful parts of the island. The widest beach on Bornholm stretches from Boderne in the west for more than 12 km to Balki in the east. At Dueodde beach, surfers will find a little paradise for themselves. The quartz sand here is so fine that it was once used to make hourglasses. This beach is one of the most beautiful in Denmark and Europe.
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Cycle route Svaneke - Rønne
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Cycling Tour - Rotund Churches and Nature on BornholmA themed cycling tour is another of our suggestions for spending your holiday on a bike.
Canoeing around the island of BornholmOn a sea kayak tour, you will get to know the nature of Bornholm in a different and fascinating way. On the island, you can take part in a guided tour, or rent equipment and go out to sea.
