“Can you imagine a time when people believed in the healing power of springs?”
Right before you, nestled at the edge of Ekkodalen, lies Ørsteds Kilde. This is not just any spring. It was once revered, its water thought to possess special properties. People in the 1920s and 30s even called it “Ørsteds radium spring.” While we now know that’s not quite true, the legend persists.
This spring is named after the famed scientist H.C. Ørsted. In 1819, he embarked on a journey to map Bornholm’s geology. During his explorations, he, along with other scientists, stayed with the forest ranger Hans Rømer. Rømer was so taken with Ørsted that he decided to honor him. He marked this spring, encasing it in stone and christening it Ørsteds Kilde.
Over time, the spring fell into disrepair. However, the spirit of Ørsted’s legacy lived on. In 1921, the association “Foreningen Bornholm” stepped in. They restored the spring to its former glory, using Bornholm granite and adorning it with a copper lid.
As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the location. Imagine the reverence people once held for this place. Ørsteds Kilde serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between nature, science, and the stories we tell.