Mariehamn

Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. Mariehamn is the seat of the Government and Parliament of Åland, and 40% of the population of Åland live in the city. It is mostly surrounded by Jomala, the second largest municipality in Åland in terms of population; to the east it is bordered by Lemland. Like all of Åland, Mariehamn is unilingually Swedish-speaking and around of the inhabitants speak it as their native language.
The theme of the coat of arms of Mariehamn refers to the city's main livelihood, a maritime transport, and the city's parks, which are typically lined with linden trees. The coat of arms was designed by Nils Byman and confirmed in 1951.
Due to its central location in the Baltic Sea, Mariehamn has become a major summer resort town for global tourism; as many as 1.5 million tourists visit there annually.
History
The town was named after the Russian empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824–1880), literally meaning "Marie's Port". Mariehamn was founded in 1861, around the village of Övernäs, in what was at the time part of the municipality of Jomala. The city has since expanded and incorporated more of Jomala territory. Mariehamn was built according to a very regular scheme which is well-preserved. One of the oldest streets is Södragatan where many wooden houses dating from the 19th century can be seen.
Following the First World War, Mariehamn was home to the Mariehamn Grain Fleet.
On November 8, 1963, a devastating plane crash occurred in Mariehamn, in which 22 out of 25 people lost their lives, which made it the second-deadliest aviation accident in the history of Finland.
Transportation
Harbours
The city is located on a peninsula. It has two important harbours, one located on the western shore and one on the eastern shore, which are ice-free for nearly the whole year, and have no tides. The Western Harbour is an important international harbour with daily traffic to Sweden, Estonia and mainland Finland. A powerful incentive for Baltic ferries to stop at Mariehamn is that, with respect to indirect taxation, Åland is not part of the EU customs zone and so duty-free goods can be sold aboard.
Åland and Mariehamn have a reputable heritage in shipping. The Flying P-Liner Pommern museum ship (part of the Åland Maritime Museum) is anchored in the Western Harbour. The Eastern Harbour features one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia. The famous Dutch steamer Jan Nieveen (now called F.P. von Knorring, after Åland teacher and vicar Frans Peter von Knorring) can also be found here.
Airport
Mariehamn Airport serves the city; it has scheduled flights on two airlines including Finnair.
Roads
At three of Åland's four highways, Mariehamn serves as a starting point for Main Road 1 to Eckerö, Main Road 2 to Sund and Main Road 3 to Lumparland.
Culture
The city is an important centre for Åland media; both of the local newspapers (Ålandstidningen and Nya Åland), several radio stations and the local TV channels (TV Åland and Åland24) operate out of the city. The islanders are traditionally fond of reading, and had public libraries before 1920. A printing works was established in the town in 1891. The municipal library, which was built in 1989, is one of the most interesting modern buildings.
Museums
Åland Maritime Museum
Åland Museum
Pommern (ship)
Övernässtugan
Sjökvarteret
Architecture
Architects
Mariehamn features several buildings drawn by Finnish architect Lars Sonck, who moved to Åland as a child. Buildings drawn by him include the church of Mariehamn (1927), the main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927) and the town hall (1939). Hilda Hongell also designed several buildings, although only a few are still standing.
The Church of St George
The main parish church of Mariehamn was opened in 1927 and has been expanded in 1959 and renovated in 1972. when the pews were painted blue. The visible decorations include painted wooden ceiling panels, one for each of the followers of Christ. The unnamed panel is that representing Judas Iscariot. The church paintings and decorations are the work of Finnish artist Bruno Tuukkanen. These include the golden mosaics behind the altar which show the life of Christ. Gifts to the church include the font and the ship that hangs from the ceiling. This is the Tjerimaj. The church houses a 37 stop organ built in stages (1969, 1982).
Demographics
Geography
Climate
Mariehamn has a transitional climate between humid continental climate (Dfb) with certain maritime (Cfb) influence as a result of the strong maritime moderation from being an island in the Baltic Sea. This causes summers to be cooler than both the Swedish and Finnish mainlands, with winters being similar in cold to the adjacent coastal part of Sweden but milder than Finland's mainland. The lowest temperature at Mariehamn airport was in February 1979, and the highest temperature on record was in July 2022 and July 1941.
Twin towns and sister cities
Mariehamn is twinned with:
Kópavogur, Iceland
Kragerø, Norway
Kuressaare, Estonia
Lomonosov, Russia (cooperation paused due to Russian invasion of Ukraine)
Slagelse, Denmark
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Valkeakoski, Finland
Visby, Sweden
Notable people
Gustaf Erikson (1872–1947), ship-owner, operated a fleet of windjammers
Maggie Gripenberg (1881–1976), dancer and choreographer
Georg Kåhre (1899–1969), a teacher and author; he wrote poetry and prose
Henrik Klingenberg (born 1978), keyboardist, keytarist and singer of Sonata Arctica
Stefan Lindfors (born 1962), an industrial & interior designer, film-maker and sculptor.
Ville Salminen (1908–1992), film actor and director
Sport
Adelina Engman (born 1984), footballer
Anders Överström (born 1985), professional footballer
Olivia Ulenius (born 2007), footballer
Tommy Wirtanen (born 1983), semi-professional footballer
Gallery
See also
Godby – the second largest urban area in Åland
Jomala – the municipality surrounding Mariehamn
References
External links
Official Tourist Gateway of Mariehamn - Maarianhamina
Map of Mariehamn
Mariehamn. Tourist route
Cities and towns in Finland
Populated coastal places in Finland
Municipalities of Åland
Grand Duchy of Finland
Populated places established in 1861
Port cities and towns of the Baltic Sea
Seaside resorts in Finland
1861 establishments in Finland