Standing on the rugged cliffs of Hammeren, a dramatic landscape unfolds before you. The wind whips your hair and the salty spray of the sea stings your skin. You feel a power here, a presence that has guided ships safely for centuries. This is Hammeren fyr, a silent sentinel on the northernmost tip of Bornholm.
Hammeren fyr is a granite tower, built in 1872. It replaced an older coal-fired lighthouse that was deemed too short for the foggy conditions. The new lighthouse, a towering 21 meters in the air, was visible for 37 kilometers. A single, steady beam of light from the lamp, high above the sea, guided ships safely through treacherous waters around Denmark’s largest island.
A tale of a former lighthouse keeper gives a peek into life on this remote outpost. Godske Wielandt, a man of many adventures, found himself in this secluded place. He loved the nature here and spent his days, not only tending the light, but tending to a stunning garden that became a source of wonder for visitors. He was known as a colorful character, a kind and merry soul, even when battling illness from all the travels during his life as a captain and trader.
At the top of the tower, atop a narrow spiral staircase, you can take in a breathtaking view across the sea, where the horizon meets the sky. On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Swedish coast. The lighthouse, once a vital beacon for its purpose, has now been silent since 1990. Yet, this majestic edifice remains a powerful symbol of a bygone era and a reminder of the ingenuity and courage of those who guarded the seas. Its stories are whispered on the wind, a testament to the enduring legacy of Hammeren fyr.