Museum sights in Mariehamn
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A
Ålands Museum & Ålands Konstmuseum
In the centre of town, the Ålands Museum & Ålands Konstmuseum are housed in the same building and should definitely head your list of things to see in Mariehamn. The lively and well-presented museum gives an absorbing insight into the history of the islands from prehistoric to present and includes a Stone-Age replica boat made of sealskin, and a reconstructed traditional pharmacy. The panels don't have English, so take an information leaflet on entry.
The gallery has changing exhibitions as well as a handful of paintings by local artists. Perhaps most interesting among them are the canvases of Joel Pettersson (1892-1937). You really sense the elemental forces at work be…
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B
Sjöfartsmuseum
Åland marine heritage is explored at the Sjöfartsmuseum, a traditional museum that’s designed to look like a ship’s prow cutting into the land. Preserved boats make up most of the exhibitions, particularly glorious ship’s figureheads such as a rare male carving that once graced the California. It’s a great place to discover your inner pirate with plenty of ships in bottles, sea chests and nautical accoutrements. The central part of the museum is a re-creation of a ship with mast, saloon, galley and cabins.
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C
Sjökvarteret
At the northern end of Österhamn, Sjökvarteret has long been devoted to boat-building and you can see various traditional schooners moored here and possibly even boats like the traditional öka (rowing boat) under construction. The museum, with exhibitions on ship-building, is located in a small boatshed that still has the whiff of timber and sea salt. The quarter also has a good cafe, Café Bönan, and several artisan galleries and shops.
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D
Museum Ship Pommern
The Museum Ship Pommern is anchored just behind the Sjöfartsmuseum. It’s a beautifully preserved four-masted merchant barque and a symbol of Mariehamn. Built in 1903 in Glasgow, Scotland, the ship once carried tonnes of cargo and a 26-man crew on the trade route between Australia and England. Its record run was a speedy 110 days. An audio guide (available in English; €3.50) brings the creaking timbers back to life.
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