Denmark

Not a country you would immediately associate with any dark tourism, but right in the middle of mainland Denmark is a hidden gem that has to be regarded as an exceptional dark sight: the Tollund Man. He's the best preserved bog body in the world, on display in the small museum in Silkeborg. There are few places on Earth where can you look death in the face so literally!

Otherwise Denmark is rather pastoral and peaceful, more a holiday destination for those who love sailing or beaches. The beaches on the west coast of Denmark, however, also hold many WWII relics from the times of the occupation of the country by Nazi Germany, when the coast was heavily fortified and mined.

Near the centre of the capital city Copenhagen, which is a veritable city break destination in itself, there is a museum dedicated to the significant Danish Resistance against the Nazis during that dark period of occupation, called the "Frihedsmuseet" ('freedom museum', open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer, only to 3 p.m. in winter, admission free). Location: a bit north of the city centre (not far from the famous "Little Mermaid" statue) at Churchillparken 7, 1263 Copenhagen.

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More recent history is covered for instance by the Langelandsfort, a coastal fortification and bunker complex with artillery and anti-aircraft guns that was constructed in the early part of the Cold War to guard the southern tip of Langeland island in the Baltic Sea against a possible Soviet attack. Remember that Denmark was and remains an important member of NATO. After the USSR's demise the fort was decommissioned in 1993 and is now a museum, which also features some Cold-War-era fighter planes and a submarine (opening times: late March to end of October from 10 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., admission 85 DKK). Location: at Vognsbjergvej 4b, Bagenkop, Langeland.

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Yet another Cold-War-era bunker complex and fortifications can be found at Stevnsfort south of Copenhagen. This one used to guard the access to Øresund, the straight between Denmark and Sweden. This was of course of major strategic importance in the whole Baltic region. The facility was only closed down in 2000 and is now a Cold War museum, or "Koldkrigsmuseum" in Danish. Outdoors, artillery, SAMs (anti-aircraft missiles) of the types Hawk and Nike Hercules, tanks and other hardware can be seen (admission 20 DKK, open April to October 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). But the real draw is the underground bunker complex. This can, however, only be visited on a guided tour, which lasts about an hour and a half and covers nearly 2 miles (3 km) of tunnels, bunkers and underground command centres (fee: 110 DKK); places are limited so advance booking is recommended (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Location: near Stevns Klint nature reserve some 35 miles (50 km) south of Copenhagen, address: Korsnæbsvej 60, 4673 Rødvig.

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