Aland Archipelago
This is a unique blend of Aland: Officially part of the autonomous region of Finland, the official language is Swedish, the national anthem, an original composition. The best way to the islands by ferry and explore bicycle – not all 6757 of them are worth a visit however.
Of course you can also fly. But stylish travel by ferry from Stockholm is best made. Because the archipelago of Aland belongs to Finland, officially, but actually is quite Swedish. Because you can eingucken at length on the first two thirds of the trip have been to the topic archipelago, the islands are ubiquitous here. And because it ends up directly after almost six hours in Mariehamn. Aland’s capital is not only the best location to explore the islands, she has earned this year a little bit extra deference: Mariehamn has been 150 years old.
Aland needed mid-19th Century needed a new capital, because the French in the Crimean War in the old land had fired. The new foundation was in the middle of the 100 years that the Russian Czar in Finland were in charge. Alexander II decided on a headland in the south of the Aland mainland. The new capital brought the two ports, one in the west and the east. And the tsar’s wife Maria, a native of Darmstädterin, donated the name: Mariehamn, Marie port.
The big pots from Stockholm, Turku and Helsinki arrive at the West Port. This is handy for visitors, because the west side of Mariehamn is chocolate. Here is the Pomeranian, a proud four-master, the last remnant of the sailing fleet of the Aland shipowner Gustaf Erikson, who was still up in the forties, the largest in the world. Today is the bark into a museum. Right behind it is a marina, which is even prettier than in the east. Pretty mainly because here the art nouveau villa in the Aland sailing Company ASA is a dream made of wood in ox-blood red, on their terrace is open for dinner with water views and sunsets.
In 15 minutes from the West to the East Bank
The shopping center and politics of the 11,000-resident city is situated on the east side and is just a stroll away from the west side. The peninsula is located on the Mariehamn is barely wider than a kilometer. To cross itself offers the Norra Esplanadgatan, a lime avenue, lined up at the old wooden villas of the owners family. Shortly before the branches off the east coast Fußgängerzönchen. Here tourists get everything they need, even baking books and newspapers in German, but above all the famous black bread, and malt syrup, and the equally famous cheese that already has been named the best in several years in Finland. Otherwise, the capital of Aland from the east coast have not done much. Sailors also find a port that is more convenient because they do not have to be careful that they did not see the big pots into the enclosure. But above all it is a thoroughfare with heavy traffic. Since no evidence to help the ambitious new Scandinavian construction, the city library or the convention center Alandica.
Also on the eastside of the state parliament and the provincial government, a sign of autonomy. Aland is celebrating two anniversaries: 90 years ago, on 24 June 1921, proposed to the League of Nations, the Swedish-speaking islands Finland. But at a heavy price: the Aland since may largely regulate their own affairs. What has resulted over the years to its own flag, its own national anthem, its own national holiday, a private car license plates, postage stamps and their own internet domain: ax. The summit of autonomy: learning must not even Finnish Aland junior at the school.
Traveling by ferry and bike
Who has enough capital looked like, maybe learn how to live the rest of the 27 500 Alanders. Most do so in a colorful wooden houses in scattered villages in the so-called Aland mainland, surrounded by woods and pastures where cows graze and sheep. The buses run there from Mariehamn in five directions.
But you can also take the wheel – or with both: The buses take bikes, which extends the radius of the tours. In this way, not only the oldest stone churches in Finland, but also the most beautiful swimming holes found: even a real sand beach as Degersand Eckerö on, but mostly smooth granite rocks. The buses also run into the two ports in the east of the Aland mainland, starting from which the archipelago ferries. They’re like buses to control water and a few of the islands between the mainland and Finland. 6757 it should be, if you count every rock that is larger than a quarter acres, 65 are inhabited.
There is a northern and a southern route. If you’re traveling without a car may ride for free and stand for hours on deck and in the eyes with and without islet lookout for wooden houses. At the end of the northern route can be translated on the Finnish island Osnäs. There, a sign informs you that now the “real Finland” begins.
