The Bomarsund fortress ruins are a memory from the Russian era 1809-1917
One
of Åland's foremost sights - the fortress ruins in Bomarsund - is a
memory of the Russian era. After the war in 1808-1809 between Sweden
and Russia, Åland's position was radically changed.
In the peace
treaty of Fredrikshamn, Sweden was forced to relinquish Finland and
Åland to Russia, and Finland became part of the grand duchy under a new
reign - the Russian Tsar.
Now Åland's geographical position
became very interesting. During the Swedish time Åland was located in a
Swedish sea - a secure position - but after the war in 1809 Åland
became the grand duchy's furthermost outpost to the west. Russian
troops were stationed in Åland and the idea of building a coastal
fortress somewhere in Åland was born.
The building began in 1830
It
was decided that Bomarsund was a suitable place for the fortress and
the building began in 1830. The fortress was planned for 5000 men and
500 cannons. People from all over Russia arrived to Åland to take part
in the building. They had different languages and religions and lived
together in a small area for 25 years.
Around the fortress area
a town-like society grew with shops and a school and on a nearby island
both a hospital and a chapel were built. Here were also cemeteries for
different religions. Some of the grave markers still stand - the most
impressive are in the new orthodox cemetery.
At this time some 3000 - 3500 persons lived in and around Bomarsund - a large number of people at the time.
Capitulation
The
fortress was never finished. In 1854 British and French forces attacked
Bomarsund and the soldiers there capitulated. Later it was destroyed
and the civil buildings were ruined. Today there are scattered ruins of
the fortress left in the area.
After the Paris Peace Conference
of 1856, Sweden pushed through an international convention that
prohibited Russians to fortify Åland. Since then Åland is demilitarized
and men on Åland are exempt from military service.
Åland's town
During
the Russian time, in 1861, Åland's only town Mariehamn, was founded.
The Russian tsar Alexander II's wife Maria named the town that around
the turn of the century had 1000 inhabitants.
The pompous Mail and Custom's House, on the west coast of Åland, was also built during the Russian era.