Lobbæk

Journey back to 1860. Lobbæk was a simpler place. A blacksmith’s hammer rang against iron. Nearby, the Myremøllen windmill’s sails turned lazily in the breeze. This small settlement nestled in the south of Bornholm, just a short distance from Rønne and Aakirkeby, held the seeds of the Lobbæk we know today. The name Lobbæk itself comes from the Lobberne stream that meandered through the area. Lobberne, meaning “long, unkempt hair”, perfectly described the wild grasses and uneven terrain. Lobbæk, in its quiet way, was already making its mark. In 1887, Lobbæk Andelsmejeri, a dairy, opened its doors, becoming a vital part of the growing community. The dairy operated for over eighty years, finally closing in 1969. This seemingly simple event had a surprising consequence. The Lobberne stream was too small to handle the dairy’s wastewater. So, the villagers dug a channel by hand. This channel, nicknamed “Mejeribækken” or “Mejeriå”, carried the water to Præstebækken, which was also deepened to accommodate the increased flow. The arrival of the Rønne-Nexø railway in 1900 transformed Lobbæk. The station, built on what was once open field, quickly became a hub of activity. Businesses and homes sprang up around the station and the dairy, creating the heart of Lobbæk. Today, the old railway line has been converted into a cycle track, a reminder of the era that shaped the village. The station building itself still stands, now serving as a community center. Lobbæk continues to evolve, but echoes of its past remain. From the blacksmith and windmill to the dairy and railway, the story of Lobbæk is etched into the landscape, waiting to be discovered.