Rytterknægten
| Rytterknægten | |
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Memorial tower on Rytterknægten
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 162 m (531 ft) |
| Prominence | 162 m (531 ft) |
| Coordinates | 55°6′42.15″N 14°53′21.37″E / 55.1117083°N 14.8892694°ECoordinates: 55°6′42.15″N 14°53′21.37″E / 55.1117083°N 14.8892694°E |
| Geography | |
 Rytterknægten
Location of Rytterknægten in Denmark
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| Location | Bornholm, Denmark |
Rytterknægten is the highest point on the Danish island of Bornholm at 162 metres (531 ft) above sea level. The bierg is situated on a wooded bedrock of gaiter formations in the middle of Almindingen forest. Aakirkeby is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the southeast.
Rytterknægten can be translated literally as knight's squire. In times gone by, every knight had a squire who among other things helped him to mount his horse. Those who did not have squires found it convenient to mount from a flat stone such as the one close to the car park. It is thought the stone might be behind the name of the location.
Bornholm has both varied natural features, such as Almindingen, Hammeren, Jons Kapel, Paradisbakkerne, and Dueodde. Rytterknægten in the Almindingen forest is not far from Ekkodalen ("echo valley") to the east and the Gamleborg castle (Viking fortress) to the southwest. The memorial tower is on the western side of the elevated area. The entire surroundings are covered with dense forest, which has been growing and creating obstructions to the views from the tower.
The royal memorial tower, Kongemindet, is located on Rytterknægten. Designed by Gottlieb Bindesbøll, it commemorates the 1851 visit of Frederick VII of Denmark and Countess Danner. The 12.6 metres (41 ft) structure was built by appreciative Bornholmers in 1856, financed entirely with Bornholmer resident donations as reverence to the King and the Danish royal house. It bears an inscription expressing the Bornholmers' thanks for the visit, stating that it would be called Kongemindet ("royal memorial"). Translated into English, the memorial text on the plaque reads:
"In remembrance of his Majesty King Frederik VII's highest presence on this island from 8 till 16 August 1851 with his wife, the Bornholmers out of subjectorial reverence erected this building in the year 1855 and gave it the name Kongemindet."
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Wikipedia