Ertholmene
Ertholmene (formerly spelled Ærtholmene) is a small archipelago in Denmark. The largest island is Christiansø, and its name often refers to the entire archipelago. Ertholmene is situated 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Gudhjem, Bornholm, and contains Denmark's easternmost point. Two of its islands, Christiansø and Frederiksø, are inhabited, and their combined permanent population (as of 2024) is 91. The archipelago has a total area of 39 hectares (96 acres). Its name is derived from the Danish for "pea islands".
Map of Ertholmene | |
Location of Ertholmene in Denmark | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Baltic Sea |
| Coordinates | 55°19′12″N 15°11′16″E |
| Administration | |
| Fæstningen Christiansø | |
|---|---|
| Northeast of Bornholm, Denmark | |
Lille Tårn ("Little Tower") on Frederiksø | |
| Type | Naval fortress |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Denmark |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1684 |
| In use | 1684–1855 (1863) |
| Battles/wars | Gunboat War |
| Designations | |
|---|---|
Ramsar Wetland | |
| Official name | Ertholmene |
| Designated | 9 February 1977 |
| Reference no. | 165 |
Historically an important navy location, the fortress closed in 1855. Since then there has been no operable military infrastructure on the archipelago, but it remains under the formal administration of the Ministry of Defence, which employs 25 to 30 people for maintaining the islands' civilian infrastructure, museum and historical buildings. Today the economy of Ertholmene is almost entirely based on tourism, with tens of thousands of visitors each year, the majority on day-trips from Bornholm during the summer months. The archipelago's buildings and nature are protected by law, and access to the uninhabited islands is restricted.