Maritime heritage in the Åland Islands

Åland's identity is defined by the Baltic Sea, serving as a historic hub for windjammers and maritime trade. This collection features the Pommern, the world’s only four-masted barque preserved in its original state, alongside the Åland Maritime Museum’s extensive collection of figureheads and nautical instruments. Explore the Russian Imperial history at Eckerö Post House, the ruins of Bomarsund fortress, and traditional pilot stations. These sites document the transition from sail to steam and the daily lives of Åland’s sailors and shipowners.

Maritime Heritage — Map

Unknown / Public domain

A

Pommern

Pommern, formerly Mneme, is an iron-hulled sailing ship. It is a four-masted barque that was built in 1903 at the J.

B

Åland Maritime Museum

Houses an extensive collection of ship models, figureheads, and nautical artifacts, including a rare genuine Jolly Roger flag. The exhibits detail the history of the Åland sailing fleet and the lives of sailors at sea.

C

Eckerö Post- och Tullhus

Neoclassical building designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, completed in 1828. It served as a Russian imperial post and customs house on the historic postal route between Stockholm and Saint Petersburg.

D

Åland Museum

The Cultural History Museum of Åland and Åland Islands Art Museum are two museums under the same roof in Mariehamn in Åland.

E

Jan Karlsgården

Open-air museum showcasing a traditional 19th-century Åland farmstead with windmills and residential buildings. It illustrates rural life and architectural styles from the islands' history.

F

Lotsmuseum

Located in the Lervik maritime area, this museum documents the history of piloting and navigation. It features equipment and stories from the pilots who guided ships through the archipelago.

G

Skeppargården Pellas

A preserved shipowner's farmstead from 1884. The main building features original interiors that reflect the lifestyle of wealthy maritime families during the late 19th century.

H

Bomarsund Visitor Centre

Exhibits the history of the 19th-century Russian fortress of Bomarsund. The center details the construction, the daily life of the garrison, and the fortress's destruction during the Crimean War.

I

Vita Björn

A former crown prison built in 1784. It operated for nearly 200 years and now serves as a museum showing the evolution of the penal system in Åland.

J

Havets Folk

A bronze sculpture by Matti Haupt, 'People of the Sea,' located near the maritime museum. It commemorates the seafaring traditions and the resilience of the local population.

K

Ankare och kätting från barken PLUS

The original anchor and chain from the four-masted barque Plus, which sank in a storm in 1933. It stands as a memorial to the vessel and its crew.

L

Ålands Jakt- och Fiskemuseum

Exhibits dedicated to traditional archipelago livelihoods, including seal hunting and fishing. Features include historic boats, gear, and displays on the local maritime ecosystem.

M

Önningebymuseet

Museum dedicated to the Önningeby artists' colony, a group of Impressionist painters active between 1886 and 1914. It is housed in a converted stone barn.

N

Sandvik Gästhamn

Guest harbor on the island of Kökar providing moorings and facilities for sailors. It serves as a base for exploring the southern part of the Åland archipelago.

O

Hellsö Gästhamn

Marina located in the Hellsö village on Kökar. Offers services for boaters and is situated near the local heritage museum and coastal hiking paths.

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