The Åland Islands might nowadays belong to Finland, but the islands have changed owners a few times in history. Once upon a time, this group of islands was in the center of the Kingdom of Sweden. Then, a war or two later, it was the westernmost outpost of the Russian Empire. It was during the Russian…
The Åland Islands were once the westernmost outpost of the Russian Empire. To guard this part of the empire, the Russians began the construction of an impressive fortress in 1832. In the center of this was the Fortress of Bomarsund. Around the main fortress, several smaller fortifications were planned to be built, of which only a…
Even when visiting the only town on the Åland Islands, nature is always close by. Mariehamn has the Baltic Sea on two sides and there are plenty of parks and green areas in the town. One of the more famous parks is on a small island next to the eastern harbor. People might know Lilla…
Hello! Today we’re sharing a great recipe for a hearty dessert or a sweet meal. The Åland Pancake is a culinary classic with its home on the Åland Islands. Almost all restaurants and cafés there serve this treat. I think that most tourists try the pancake during their visit. Locals make it at home and…
Do you want to visit historical sites on the Åland Islands? The municipality of Sund has a lot of sights of historical importance, including the Fortress of Bomarsund and the Castle of Kastelholm. The tower of Notviken is another interesting sight in the area. A bit to the north of the Fortress of Bomarsund and…
The Åland Islands have been through a lot of action during history. Located next to the water on the main island of Åland is the Fortress of Bomarsund. Nowadays the site consists of only the ruins of a fortress; only parts of the walls are still standing. However, it is difficult to imagine that this…
With great dignity, she welcomes all visitors who arrive in Mariehamn by ferry. In front of the Maritime Museum in Mariehamn is one of the Åland Islands’ most well-preserved sights. Docked in the western harbor – Västra Hamnen – S/V Pommern is a large sailing ship or Windjammer. It is the only large sailing ship of…
Time flies this time of the year and we are struggling to find time for everything we want to do. We spent the last weekend on Åland. Well, Susann and little A took the ferry from Kapellskär already the weekend earlier. I joined them at her parents’ house on Wednesday evening. My parents joined us…
When you are on the ferry crossing the Baltic Sea, there is one particular object that tells you that you will soon be in Mariehamn. On the first islets that catch your attention, one of the very first glimpses of land, there is a house and a small pyramid. What you see is Kobba Klintar, an…
Are you planning a visit to the countryside on the Åland Islands? Are you looking for things to do and see? Do you fancy something out of the ordinary? Today we tell you about the sawmill in Lumparland – the smallest municipality on mainland Åland. In the forest, at Krickulla near Lumparby, you will find…
There are a few places on the Åland Islands that we have passed by a few times. And each time, we comment that “this looks nice, maybe we should stop sometime”. As is usually the case, we keep on driving. One place we actually took our time to see recently is the Lemström Canal not…
The Åland Islands is a small place with a lot of history. We have previously written about Kungsö Battery in Jomala, but that is not the only demolished battery on the islands. Another such place is the Sålis battery. It is located in Hammarland, one of the central municipalities. Built by the Russians, the purpose of…