Mariehamn - Attractions

1. Museum Ship Pommern & Åland Maritime Museum
Much of the best that Mariehamn have to offer is located in the western harbour, not far from the quays. Here is for example the Maritime Museum and the Museum Ship Pommern, both world famous. They give insight into how the seamen’s life was aboard ship in calm seas, storms and when the captain chased the speed record for the Australia-England sailings, a common route for these ships in the early 1900´s.

2. Bomarsund Fortress Ruins
The Bomarsund fortress is the largest military building that has ever been built on Åland. After the war between Sweden and Russia in 1808-1809, Sweden had to surrender Finland and Åland to Russia. The Russian military soon wanted to make the Åland Islands a stronghold against the west. During the Crimean War in 1854 the fortress was surrounded by 12.000 French soldiers and some 40 British war ships. The outcome was a given. Even if the fortress was ruined, it’s still a very interesting and well visited sight. As a consequence of the Crimean War, the Åland Islands were demilitarised and still remain so. The Åland Islands are called the Islands of Peace.

3. Castle of Kastelholm
Take a tour to the castle of Kastelholm. The castle was built in the 1300’s and has been through both sieges and piracy. The Swedish king Gustav Vasa and his sons Johan III and Erik XIV have all spent time at the castle. After the death of Gustav Vasa, his sons fought for power. The fight ended when Erik put his brother Johan in prison. A small room in the castle has been pointed out as Johan’s prison.

4. Åland Museum & Art Museum
The history of Åland from the Stone Ages to present times is exhibited at the permanent exhibition in the Åland Museum. The permanent exhibition displays the development of Åland from mid 1800’s to present. The Åland Art Museum was founded in 1963 and is the province museum for art from Åland. Some ten special exhibitions with varying themes are shown yearly with artists from Åland as well as from other nations.

5. Maritime Quarter
Sailing ship building is an old Åland tradition. The Maritime Quarter in the eastern harbour is a great place to experience skilled boat builder’s work up-close. Here is also a museum that exhibits boatbuilding traditions in Åland. Usually there are some beautiful traditional boats moored at the quays.

6. Jan Karlsgården Open Air Museum
Visit beautiful Jan Karlsgården, a typical Åland farmstead from the 1800’s. It depicts life as it was before the age of fast food and it is located just a stone’s throw from the castle of Kastelholm. The prison museum Vita Björn is also nearby. Just look across the bay to return to modern times there one of the most popular golf courses in the Nordic countries is located.

7. Tjudö Vineyard
Åland has for a long time had a gourmet tradition when it comes to strong drinks. Visit Tjudö Vineyard and enjoy not only the locally produced wine, but also study the process of making a local variant of calvados – the highly regarded Ålvados.

8. Brewery Stallhagen
If you’re interested in beer, the brewery Stallhagen is a given destination. The brewery gives you an insight into beer brewing, and in the brewery pub you may sample Stallhagen Lager. The building has been moved but was originally a barrack room for the Russian coastal artillery.

9. Åland Hunting & Fishing Museum
Everyday life was sometimes harsh for the Ålanders in the past. The Åland Hunting & Fishing Museum in Eckerö depicts the hunters’ and fishermen’s hard work to feed their families. The museum is located in Eckerö next to the old fishing village in Käringsund.

10. Eckerö Mail & Custom’s House
The stately impressive Eckerö Mail & Custom's house was built in 1828 and drawn by the famous architects Carl Ludwig Engel and Carlo Bassi. The building is constructed in empire style, well-known from Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The Eckerö Mail and Custom's house, together with Bomarsund, represent the Russian era in Finland and in Åland.

11. Önningeby Museum
The Önningeby Museum, located in a beautiful stone barn from 1869, is a small historical art museum that exhibits art from the golden era of open-air painting. The museum’s collections are concentrated around the picturesque village of Önningeby’s famous artist colony with artists from Sweden and Finland. For groups, serving and lectures may be arranged by prior agreement.