Jons Kapel ("John's Chapel") is a rock bluff in

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

Bornholm Bornholm () is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, to the east of the rest of Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany and north of Poland. Strategically located, Bornholm has been fought over for centuries. It has usually been ruled by ...

's west coast, about north of Hasle. The formations are the result of the waves beating against the rock at a time when the sea level was considerably higher than it is today. The cliff is in height. Named after a

hermit A hermit, also known as an eremite ( adjectival form: hermitic or eremitic) or solitary, is a person who lives in seclusion. Eremitism plays a role in a variety of religions. Description In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a C ...

who resided on the bluff, Jon's caves are visible from the beach below the rocks."Jons Kapel"
''Hasle.dk''. Retrieved 22 October 2012.

Geography

Bornholm has both varied natural features, such as Jons Kapel,

Almindingen Almindingen ("the common") is one of the largest forests in Denmark. It is located in the centre of the island of Bornholm. The forest covers , making it Denmark's third largest. Though it was at one time common grazing land for cattle, it was ...

Hammeren Hammeren (also Hammerknuden; meaning, "hammerhead-shaped crag of granite") is a protected area and promontory in Denmark on the northernmost point of Bornholm island. It projects into Sæne Bugt bay in the Baltic Sea. The area includes Hammersø ...

Paradisbakkerne Paradisbakkerne ("hills of paradise"), also Helvedesbakkerne ("hills of hell"), is a group of hills in Denmark, located in the east of the island of Bornholm. It is situated approximately northwest of Nexø. The privately owned area consists of ...

Rytterknægten Rytterknægten is the highest point on the Danish island of Bornholm at above sea level. The bierg is situated on a wooded bedrock of gaiter formations in the middle of Almindingen forest. Aakirkeby is located about to the southeast. Etymology ...

, and Dueodde, as well as Denmark's tallest lighthouse. The rocky cliffs of Jons Kapel, which give a panoramic view of the west coast of the island, are reached from the car park on Jons Kapelvej by descending a steep path beside a little stream called Askebækken. Jons Kapel can be seen from the beach, north of the point where the path reaches the coast. The cliffs consist of Vang granite, named after the fishing village of Vang, just to the north. The cliff has several caves. Jon's Cave is high above the sea. North of the cave, there is an almost vertical rockface known as Hvidkleven (White Cliff). The

caves A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

to the south are known as Jons Sovekammer (Jon's Bedroom), Jons Sakristi, Jons Spisestue (Jon's Dining Room) and Jons Madkælder (Jon's Food Cellar). The bluff has been identified into three climbing grades depending on the difficulty level, at intervals. Kangaroo Point, at from the base level, is Grade 3, and is one of the better and secure routes. The second level, called Alle Veje fører til Hasle ("All roads lead to Hasle"), is also Grade 3 .The third, known as the Udsigten ("the prospect"), is Grade 4.

Legend

According to legend, Jon was a hermit, sent to Bornholm to bring

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global popula ...

to the islanders. He settled in a cave on the cliff. Bornholmers were curious to see who Jon was, so they visited him and he told them stories from the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus ...

. Eventually, there were so many visitors that there was not enough room in his cave. In order for everyone to hear him, Jon crawled up on the cliff into a natural vantage point known as Prædikestolen ("the pulpit"). It is said that he also preached to the sea gulls and surf waters of the sea.

References

{{Bornholm Denmark Bornholm Cliffs of Denmark