Heady aromas of horse dung and herring infuse the half-timbered village outskirts. Ginger cats prowl narrow alleys and in summer birds sing benedictions from fig trees. In winter, it snows. And raging seas freeze over.
Fishing, glass-blowing, art, and cuisine are the main occupations. Bornholm’s medieval commercial centre in Gudhjem held huge herring fairs in the Middle Ages and started the Scandinavian smoked fish industry. Today, the island’s 30 natural parks and reserves draw enthusiastic hikers and cyclists. You can view Viking artefacts and northern Europe’s biggest castle ruin, wager on chicken-poop crapshoots, or sail to Ertholmene for a picnic.
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