Bornholm Art Museum – a meeting of art and wild nature in Helligdomsklipperne

Visiting and atmosphere

Visiting the museum is an enjoyable journey through the development of art on Bornholm and in Denmark. The exhibitions are arranged both chronologically and thematically, making it easy to navigate the displays even for visitors who are less familiar with art history.

The museum galleries are filled with natural light thanks to large windows that not only illuminate the artworks but also open up views of the sea and the cliffs of Helligdomsklipperne. This fusion of art and landscape creates a unique atmosphere, perfect for both reflection and inspiration.

During your visit, you can plan a break in the museum café or browse the shop offering books and art publications, making the museum a welcoming place to spend several hours or even an entire day.

History and collections

The history of Bornholms Kunstmuseum dates back to the late 19th century, when works by artists connected with the island began to be collected. Although the institution has evolved over the years, its main aim remains the presentation of art linked to Bornholm, alongside significant artistic achievements from different periods.

The permanent collection focuses primarily on artists associated with the so-called Bornholm School – painters who, in the first half of the 20th century, developed modern forms of expression inspired by the island’s rugged landscape. In addition, the collection includes artistic crafts, ceramics and glass, offering a broader insight into the island’s local art and creative traditions.

Did you know?

The museum building itself is well worth attention – it was designed to blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape of cliffs and sea, making use of the site’s natural slope. At the heart of the building flows a stream of water from Helligdomskilden, a former healing spring that today serves as both an architectural and symbolic feature.

The museum also runs film programmes, family workshops and offers a sculpture park outside that is open all year round. As a result, it is a place not only for lovers of painting, but for everyone seeking inspiration and a more interactive encounter with art beyond the traditional exhibition space.

Location and museum building

Bornholms Kunstmuseum is located at Otto Bruuns Plads 1, 3760 Gudhjem, directly beside the Helligdomsklipperne – a monumental complex of cliffs and rocky terraces descending towards the Baltic Sea. The location is no coincidence: the museum has been deliberately embedded in the raw, rocky landscape of Bornholm’s northern coast, which for more than a century has been one of the main sources of inspiration for local artists. Even the approach to the building sets a calm, contemplative mood, perfectly suited to the character of the collections on display.

The museum building opened in 1993 and was significantly extended in 2003. With a total area of around 4,000 m², it was designed with a strong focus on the close relationship between art, architecture and nature. Large glass surfaces, open sightlines and carefully planned circulation routes ensure that natural daylight plays a key role in the experience of the exhibitions. In many galleries, the eye naturally moves from the artworks towards the sea, the cliffs and the sky – one of the most distinctive aspects of a visit to the museum.

The architecture makes full use of the site’s natural topography – part of the building is set into the rocky slope, while the interiors unfold in a cascading sequence, guiding visitors through successive exhibition spaces. A particularly striking feature is the stream of water from the Helligdomskilden spring flowing through the central part of the museum, adding an almost meditative quality and emphasising the deep connection between the museum, the history of the site and its surrounding landscape.