Stone churches
The oldest of the medieval churches in Åland date back
to the latter part of the 11th century, others are from the 12th and
13th centuries. Apparently there was an economic upswing in the late
1200’s, which made it possible to build a number of stone churches at
about the same time. The building of the churches progressed on a
smaller scale, without interruption, during the medieval times.
The chronology of the stone churches
is not yet fully determined but it appears as if most mother churches
were finished before the 12th century while the chapel churches were
built in the 13th century. At that time the church of Finström was also
arched.
The churches were built in easily
quarried red rapakivi granite from Åland. Bricks were only sporadically
used at the end of the medieval times. For the arches of the
longhouses, shivers of natural stones were used rather than bricks.
Local ordovician limestone was used to frame windows and portals.
The characteristic western towers
are usually part of a later building era. The oldest one was built in
about 1281 and the most recent in 1467. Other than western towers,
sacristies and porches were also built.
Photos: Projekt Ålands Kyrkor, church of Hammarland