On the southern part of Bornholm, between Aakirkeby and Sømarken, you will find the picturesque Pedersker, which is an ideal base from which to explore the island. Pedersker is a small settlement that dates back to the 11th century when one of the oldest churches on Bornholm was built here.
The most popular sights here are St Peter's Church and the nearby Dutch windmill Kirkemølle.
The gently sloping and sandy beaches south of Pedersker, in Sømarken, are ideal for a peaceful beach holiday. The south coast of Bornholm offers excellent opportunities for water sports enthusiasts and fishermen.
Numerous cycle paths and the relatively flat terrain around Pedersker make the area ideal for cycling trips. Pedersker also offers its visitors the opportunity to shop at the Dagli Brugsen supermarket, which is open daily and offers a good assortment.
The church of Sankt Peders is located slightly south of the village and is already very visible from a distance. The church building consists of several parts, which due to their different sizes do not seem to fit together. This is due to the fact that the church was extended in several distant stages. The bell tower is quite flat and rings two bells, including one from the 16th century. The well-preserved and restored interior of the church with its baptistery, pulpit, altar and organ is worth seeing. As is the cemetery surrounding the church, where not only Bornholmians are buried, but also two Allied pilots from World War II.
The historic Kirkemølle - Pedersker windmill - rises to a height of about 16 metres southwest of Pedersker. Kirkemølle is the last stone mill built of sandstone, which is a special feature of Bornholm. The traditionally whitewashed Kirkemølle in Pedersker is a popular photo opportunity against the blue sky and green meadows. The mill was built in 1861 and abandoned in 1979 and is now one of the museum mills on Bornholm.
To the east of Pedersker is the former Rispebjerg Ring Castle, which is of great cultural and historical importance to Bornholm. It was built near the coast around 2900 BC as an Iron Age refuge. From the lookout tower, you can see the archaeological excavations at Rispebjerg. In addition to its importance to the people of Bornholm as a refuge from looters, the complex also had a ritual function. In ancient times, solar rituals were performed here.
The river Ole Å flows in the immediate vicinity of the walls and is a popular place for fishing.
North-east of Pedersker flows the small river Ole Å, on the banks of which there is not only the Slusegård watermill from the 18th century but also the Ågårds watermill from the same century. As it is not well signposted and on private land, it is only partly suitable as a destination for excursions.
A hike through the wooded plantation of Pedersker shows active hikers the mysterious stone mounds that rise here at irregular intervals. A trip to the Aa church in Aakirkeby, built-in 1150 and equipped with powerful twin church towers, shows that Aarkirkeby used to be the capital of the island. Today, the town is inviting for holidays due to its proximity to hiking trails in the Almindinge forest and the beautiful beaches of Sømarken.
An integral part of Aakirkeby visited by tourists is the NaturBornholm Museum, which impressively traces the geological and biological history of the island.
Not far away is also the road from Pedersker to Nexø, which is the second-largest town on the island with more than 3,700 inhabitants and has become world-famous, particularly thanks to the writer Martin Andersen. As the town's most famous resident, Andersen focused on the everyday life of the rural population at the turn of the century in "Pelle the Conqueror", and also took a critical look at the social needs of Denmark's industrialisation in his novel "The Third Human Child".
Martin Andersen expressed his deep connection to his birthplace Nexø by adding its name to his pseudonym. The writer's former home now houses a museum dedicated to him.
