Rønne Kongen Lighthouse

Rønne Kongen Lighthouse – a historic landmark at the harbour entrance

The Rønne Kongen lighthouse, located right by the waterfront, is a small but easily recognisable feature of the town’s coastal landscape. Its position means it is often passed by visitors heading towards the harbour or the seaside promenade. Although it is not open for interior visits, you can walk right up to it to see the characteristic structure made of granite blocks and the metal lantern that once guided sailors safely into the port.

The area around the lighthouse offers several good spots to observe ferry traffic and the harbour’s distinctive architecture. It is also a popular photography point — many visitors stop here to capture the typical Bornholm atmosphere: a blend of rugged stone architecture, coastal light and the calm rhythm of the town.

Information

Name: Kongen (often also "Kongen fyr").

Location: on the old pier of Rønne Harbour (Rønne Havn), below the main lighthouse, where it served as the lower guiding light for the port.

Year of construction: 1930.

Built with: local Bornholm granite, supplied by the stoneworking company Brdr. Andersens Stenhuggeri.

Construction and Appearance

Tower height: approx. 9 metres.

Light height: around 11 metres above sea level.

Material: granite.

Type of light: originally a flashing white light with a specific interval (e.g. one-second flash every 1.5 seconds).

Significance and Facts

"Kongen" served as the lower harbour light — together with the main lighthouse, it formed the guiding line for ships entering Rønne Harbour.

Before the 1930 structure, an earlier wooden lighthouse stood here — also called "Kongen" — built in 1857.

Due to harbour reconstruction, the lighthouse was dismantled in 1977 and reinstalled in 1979, about 10 metres from its original position.

The lighthouse is no longer used as an active navigational light. The former flashing white light was replaced by a steady red light, though its navigational role has since been discontinued.