Mariehamn
Capital and largest city of Åland
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Through World War I and European Union
Mariehamn lies on the main island of Åland. It has about 40% of the region’s population. The city is Swedish-speaking, and most residents have Swedish as their native language.
Mariehamn borders Jomala to the north and west and Lemland to the east.
The coat of arms of Mariehamn reflects the city’s maritime economy and its linden-lined parks. It was designed by Nils Byman and confirmed in 1951.
Mariehamn and all of Åland is a popular summer destination, with about 1.5 million visitors each year.
History
Mariehamn was founded on 21 February 1861 on land that belonged to the village of Övernäs in Jomala. It was named after the Russian empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824–1880), meaning lit. 'Marie's Port'.
The town grew from a planned layout that remains largely intact. It later expanded into Jomala. One of the oldest streets is Södragatan, which has preserved 19th-century wooden houses.
In the late 19th century, shipping became central to the local economy, and shipowners and shipyards settled in the town.
After the First World War, Mariehamn became known for its Grain Fleet.
On 8 November 1963, a plane crash in Mariehamn killed 22 of 25 people, Finland’s second-deadliest air accident.
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Demographics
Population growth
Mariehamn's population grew steadily from under 10,000 in the late 1980s to over 11,800 by 2024. Based on data from Ålands statistik- och utredningsbyrå (ÅSUB), the city's population by year was:
Foreign-born residents
As of 2018, the largest groups of foreign-born residents in Mariehamn were:
Transport
Airport
Mariehamn Airport serves the city with regular flights operated by Finnair and regional airlines.
Harbours
Mariehamn lies on a peninsula with two main harbours, west and east. Both remain ice-free for most of the year and experience minimal tidal variation.
The Western Harbour is an international port with daily ferry connections to Sweden, Estonia, and mainland Finland. Because Åland is outside the EU customs zone, ferries call at Mariehamn to enable duty-free sales.
The city has a long maritime tradition. The four-masted barque Pommern, now part of the Åland Maritime Museum, is moored in the Western Harbour. The Eastern Harbour hosts one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia and the historic Dutch steamer F.P. von Knorring, named after Åland teacher and vicar Frans Peter von Knorring.
Roads
Three of Åland's four main roads begin in Mariehamn: Åland Highway 1 (Main Road 1) to Eckerö, Åland Highway 2 (Main Road 2) to Sund, and Åland Highway 3 (Main Road 3) to Lumparland.
Culture
Media
Mariehamn is the centre of Åland's media. Both local newspapers, Ålandstidningen and Nya Åland, several radio stations, and the television channels TV Åland and Åland24 operate from the city.
Libraries and publishing
The first public libraries on Åland opened before 1920, and a printing house was founded in 1891. The municipal library, completed in 1989, is known for its modern architecture.
Museums
- Åland Maritime Museum – maritime history and the ship Pommern
- Åland Museum – cultural and natural history of Åland
- Övernässtugan – 18th-century farmhouse
- Sjökvarteret – boatbuilding and maritime crafts centre
Architecture and landmarks
Several buildings in Mariehamn were designed by Finnish architect Lars Sonck, including the church of Mariehamn (1927), the main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927), and the town hall (1939). Hilda Hongell also designed wooden houses, though few remain.
The main parish church of Mariehamn is the Church of St George, opened in 1927, expanded in 1959, and renovated in 1972. The interior features painted wooden ceiling panels by Finnish artist Bruno Tuukkanen and golden mosaics behind the altar illustrating the life of Christ. Decorative items include a ship model, Tjerimaj, and a 37-stop organ built in stages between 1969 and 1982.
Climate
Mariehamn has a transitional climate between an oceanic (Cfb) and a humid continental (Dfb) type, according to the Köppen climate classification. The Baltic Sea moderates temperature extremes, resulting in mild winters and cool summers.
Summers are cooler than in most of Sweden and Finland, while winters are milder, similar to those on the Swedish coast.
- Lowest recorded temperature: −32.9 °C (−27.2 °F) in February 1979, Mariehamn Airport
- Highest recorded temperature: 31.5 °C (88.7 °F) in July 2018, Western Harbour
Data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute provide climate averages for 1991–2020 and historical records since 1914.
Twin towns
Mariehamn has the following twin towns:
- Iceland – Kópavogur
- Norway – Kragerø
- Estonia – Kuressaare
- Russia – Lomonosov, Russia – partnership suspended in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Denmark – Slagelse
- Faroe Islands – Tórshavn
- Finland – Valkeakoski
- Sweden – Visby
Notable people
- Jeremy Duns (born 1973), British author and former journalist who lives in Mariehamn
- Gustaf Erikson (1872–1947), shipowner who operated sailing ships
- Maggie Gripenberg (1881–1976), dancer and choreographer
- Georg Kåhre (1899–1969), teacher and author
- Henrik Klingenberg (born 1978), musician and member of the Finnish band Sonata Arctica
- Stefan Lindfors (born 1962), designer, filmmaker and sculptor
- Ville Salminen (1908–1992), film actor and director
- Adelina Engman (born 1984), footballer
- Olivia Ulenius (born 2007), footballer