Perched atop a rocky hill in the heart of Almindingen forest sits Lilleborg. Can you imagine this serene landscape as the site of a fierce power struggle? Lilleborg, built in the mid-12th century, wasn’t just a castle. It was a symbol of royal defiance. King Sweyn III, having lost most of Bornholm to the Archbishop of Lund, commissioned Lilleborg as his stronghold. This new fortress replaced the older, larger Gamleborg, which was only 700 meters away. Lilleborg, though smaller, was strategically positioned and easier to defend. Its thick walls and central tower provided a formidable defense against attacks. The castle, surrounded by the Borresø lake, was accessible only by a wooden bridge leading to a steep path. This isolation, while offering protection, made it less effective for coastal defense, more akin to a hill fort used for refuge during sudden raids. Lilleborg met a fiery end in 1259. Prince Jaromar of Rügen stormed and destroyed the “king’s stronghold.” Interestingly, coins minted after 1259 have been unearthed within the ruins, hinting at continued habitation despite the destruction. Lilleborg may be in ruins, but its story echoes through the stones. Restoration efforts between 2006 and 2011 have helped to preserve the outlines of this historical gem, allowing us to glimpse the power struggles and resilience of a bygone era.
Nexø Lystskov
Have you ever heard the tale of Fandens Keglebane? It’s a story whispered among the towering trees of Nexø Lystskov,