Traces of
a different Åland.

Bomarsund Fortress was built by the Russian military as a strategic outpost facing west. The fortress was destroyed during the Crimean War in 1854. The remaining ruins tell the story of an important period in the history of Finland and Åland.

Having previously belonged to Sweden, Åland and the rest of Finland became part of Russia under the Treaty of

Fredrikshamn in 1809. In 1832, the Russian military began building the main fortress – the largest building ever built in Åland… The fortress included three connected defensive towers. The main fortress served as barracks for the Åland garrison, a defensive installation and the office of Åland’s commandant.

A settlement of civilian and military households grew up around the fortress. It was named Skarpans. In August 1854, a British-French force attacked the half-finished fortress and quickly defeated its defenders.

For four days, the fortress was bombarded by ships and cannons. On 16 August, the commandant surrendered, and just over 2,000 prisoners were taken into captivity in France and England. On 2 September, the main fortress was blown up.

After the Crimean War ended in 1856, Åland was demilitarised. The fortifications were never rebuilt. Today, the area is an 870-hectare archaeological site that is easily accessible to visitors.

The tower at Notviken

The tower at Notviken is an outlying part of the fortress. When Åland became part of Russia in 1809, the islands took on a strategic role as the empire’s westernmost outpost. Fortification work along this important waterway began around 1830, and construction of the main fortress started in 1832.