Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bomarsund
RUINS, FORTRESS
(
www.bomarsund.ax
)
Following the war of 1808-09, Russia began building this major military structure as its
westernmost defence against the Swedes. In 1854 the fortress was still incomplete when
the Crimean War began and a French-British naval force bombarded it heavily from the
sea. Within two days the Russians were forced to surrender it.
The ruins stretch for a couple of kilometres, on both sides of the road. Across the water
on Prästö, the small
Bomarsund museum
( 018-44032;admission by donation;
10am-5pm Mon-Fri Jun-Aug, plus 10am-5pm Sat & Sun Jul)
displays excavated artefacts.
At the complex's core was a huge fortress, built from brick and strengthened with dis-
tinctive octagonal blocks, containing a garrison town, and protected by ramparts and a
planned 15 fortified towers. Prästö became Bomarsund's island of the dead, with a military
hospital and separate Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim and Christian graveyards. The epic
construction drew masons, craftsmen and soldiers from across the Russian Empire.
Only three of the defensive towers were completed and today, along with the Huvud-
fästet (Main Fort), they make the most impressive sights, particularly Brännklint tower, its
walls scarred by cannon- and rifle-balls. The overgrown foundations of the garrison town
Nya Skarpans, populated only by ants and butterflies, are also atmospheric.
Jan Karlsgårdens Friluftsmuseum
MUSEUM
( 018-432-150;
www.kastelholm.ax
;
10am-5pm May-mid-Sep)
At this sprawling open-air museum next to Kastelholms Slott, you can stroll around tradi-
tional 18th- and 19th-century Ålandic buildings, including windmills and a smoke sauna.
The museum shop's guidebook (€2) is invaluable for background on each building.
By the entrance, the small
Fängelsemuseet Vita Björn
(admission €2; 10am-5pm
May-mid-Sep)
, a jail until 1975, demonstrates how cells and conditions evolved over the
two centuries it was in use.
Sankt Johannes Kyrka
CHURCH
( 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, noon-4pm Sun Jun-Aug)
