The Old Mail Pier, or Postbryggan in Swedish, might not be the original or even close to that. The old pier, or jetty, might be gone but there is still a reason to read up on the history of this place while enjoying the view out over the sea. This location, in Eckerö, is one of the westernmost points of both the Åland Islands and Finland. With the exception of a few islets, it is possible to imagine Sweden there on the other side of the strait known as the Sea of Åland.
The Old Mail Pier
The old mail pier does actually no longer exist. It has over time been replaced by the stone pier that can be found here today. The pier is today used by the voluntary sea rescue services of Ålands Sjöräddningssällskap. This is one out of six stations that the organization has spread out over the Åland Islands. They have a Magnum 7.50 LC from Norsafe Arendal Norge stationed here on Eckerö.
The old mail pier was where the mail route entered the Åland islands and for a time the Russian Empire. It was from here that the locals rowed across the sea to Grisslehamn in Sweden, transporting both mail and people.
Transports Across the Sea of Åland
The mail route between Stockholm and Turku was officially established in 1638. This was a time when the Åland Islands and Finland were still a part of Sweden. The route survived and remained important once both the Åland Islands and Finland were lost to Russia, it did then even extend to Saint Petersburg connecting the capital of Sweden and Russia.
It is about 44 kilometers across the sea between Grisslehamn in Sweden and Eckerö on the Åland Islands. At the end of the 17th century, it would take the locals about a day to row across the sea. A day, when the weather was favorable. Canons were used during the winter to signal if the ice was safe to cross. From 1812, one canon was placed on either side of the strait. This did, however, not prevent all tragic loss of life at the crossing. It wasn’t until 1910 that steamers replaced the rowing over the dangerous crossing.
Finding Your Way to the Old Mail Pier
The Old Mail Pier, or Postbryggan, is almost at the westernmost point of Road 1. When driving west from Mariehamn it is a left turn to the Mail and Custom Building and then just an additional short distance further up the road. Keep in mind that this is one of the stations for the voluntary sea rescue services, so make sure to park appropriately.
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