Wooden churches

How did a Turkish pirate ship end up as a model in an Åland church? In the past, models of ships - known as votive ships - used to be set up in churches as a symbol of gratitude to divine providence. A truly special votive ship hangs in St Anna's church in the Kökar group of islands in the remotest part of the Åland archipelago.

An Easter break (Påskpaus) in Åland has a programme to appeal to all the senses. You can enjoy an extensive cultural offering including art, music and theatre as well as adventures in nature and hikes or walks in a fabulous environment. Grab the opportunity to see Åland in its spring finery!

In August, Åland Post will be issuing a miniature sheet as well as a stamp on the theme church windows. The Macau Post presents the Macau interpretation of the same theme in this joint issue.

The church in Eckerö (the picture) is very light because of the unusually tall and wide windows towards north and south. The present, rather long church is thought to have been erected in the end of the 1200's but at the same place some coins from the early 1200's have also been found which indicates an earlier chapel at the same place. A Madonna from Gotland and a small crucifix are both from the medieval times and so are the fragmented frescos.

At an archaeological excavation of the church of Lemland(the picture), it was discovered that it had a forerunner in wood. The high class frescos were painted in the 1290's. One of the most remarkable sculptures in Åland is the Madonna with the Jesus child, which was carved in oak in 1327. In the church of Lemland there are also two crucifixes from mid 1300's and other late medieval figurines.

The Sancta Jacob's chapel in Brändö has a rich history but the church as it is known today was consecrated in 1893. The first time it was mentioned was in 1544 when Gutsav Vasa confiscated a cupper church bell, but a document from 1631 mentions an already then old altarpiece. The church is laid out like a cross and painted white. The noblest artefact is a magnificent triptych from the late medieval times that was purchased 550 years ago.