Attractions
Port
of Mariehamn and the Åland Islands welcome cruise passengers to
discover an exciting cruise destination in the Baltic. Shore excursions
can be arranged to all of Åland’s main attractions.
The Maritime Museum and the Museum Ship Pommern.
The Maritime Museum and the Museum Ship Pommern,
both world famous, 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.
The Russian fortress of Bomarsund
The
fortress of Bomarsund is an exciting destination for an excursion. It
was built in 1832 by the Russian army and the work continued until the
fortress was overthrown during the Crimean War in 1854 when it 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 is still one
of the Åland Island’s most interesting sights. 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.
The castle of Kastelholm has been visited by both pirates and kings
Take a tour to the castle of Kastelholm.
The castle was built in the 1300’s and has in history 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 Johan put
his brother Erik in prison. A small room in the castle has been pointed
out as Erik’s prison.
Jan Karlsgården – a farmstead from the past
Jump
a few hundred years back in time. 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 – where one of the
most popular golf courses in the Nordic coun¬tries is located.
The Åland churches – stately memories of medieval times
In
the 1200’s and 1300’s, after the heathen gods were abandoned, a
surprising number of churches were built on the islands. There are
still twelve medieval churches. They are possibly the Åland Islands
most interesting memories from medieval times considering that their
original function remains.
Hunting and fishing are a natural part of everyday life
Everyday life was sometimes harsh for the Ålanders in the past. The Åland Hunting & Fishing Museum in Eckerö depicts the hunter’s and fishermen’s hard work to feed their families.