Discover Bornholm's Quarries
Bornholm's quarries are among the most distinctive places on the island. For over 150 years – from the mid-19th century until the 1990s – Bornholm granite was extracted for some of Denmark's greatest buildings: Copenhagen City Hall, Christiansborg Palace, and the Great Belt Bridge. The rugged rock faces, former excavation sites, and vast post-industrial landscapes create a unique scenery that attracts tourists, climbers, and history enthusiasts alike.
The largest quarries are located on the island's northwest coast, near the Hammerknuden headland. Some have been transformed into museums, walking trails, and viewpoints. Others, like Moseløkken, still operate periodically. Flooded quarry pits – led by the famous Opalsøen – have become some of Bornholm's most beautiful natural attractions.
Vang Granite Quarry
The largest granite quarry on Bornholm, operating from 1895 to 1996. Granite from Vang was used to build Copenhagen City Hall and the Great Belt Bridge. Today the former quarry is a scenic area with walking trails, the DGI Broen viewing bridge, and a fascinating industrial history.
Moseløkken – Quarry and Museum
The last active hammer granite quarry on Bornholm, located near the ruins of Hammershus Castle. It offers over 160 years of stone-cutting tradition, impressive vertical rock faces popular with climbers, and a museum dedicated to the history of Bornholm's stone industry.
Smaller Quarries on Bornholm
Dozens of smaller granite quarries scattered across the hills and cliffs of northern Bornholm. Among them is the famous Opalsøen at Hammerknuden – a flooded quarry pit surrounded by 70-metre rock walls – and the Ravnedal quarry with its unique red granite.
Bornholm's quarries are a living testament to over 150 years of granite extraction that shaped the island's landscape, economy, and identity. The former quarry pits, now often overgrown with forest or filled with crystal-clear water, form some of the most picturesque corners of Bornholm. Whether you're interested in geology, industrial history, rock climbing, or simply looking for extraordinary places to explore – Bornholm's quarries will not disappoint.
