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Sund is a municipality in mainland Åland. Here you can find two of the archipelago's main sights, Kastelholm castle and the ruined fortification of Bomarsund.
Understand
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Long before Mariehamn was established, the center of administration of Åland was in Sund. First in Kastelholm, at the castle and the manor, and later at Bomarsund, Sund is now a largely rural municipality that nevertheless shines through its unique historical heritage. Although Sundsboar, as they are called, come from many different backgrounds, the municipality acts as a sort of semi self-contained society, with its own infrastructure (school, library, retirement home), associative network (youth club, cultural association, sport club, etc) and social hangouts (chiefly the Knallen restaurant and the local gym, located in the volunteer firefighters' house). In the summer months, many people rent out rooms or cabins, people whose family moved out of Åland come back to their summer cottages and various events are arranged.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Sund is some 20 km north-east from Mariehamn. Highway 2 connecting Mariehamn and Vårdö passes through Sund. From the Finnish mainland there is a connection via Brändö and Vårdö, in addition to the main one via Mariehamn.
You can get in by boat, car, bike or bus.
Get around
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The most convenient way of getting around is by bike or car. Buses serve part of the municipality, with sparse schedules. A boat or kayak gives you access to the main sights and services, and additionally lets you experience the shores and islands.
See
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- 1 Kastelholm Castle (Kastelholms slott), 5 Tosarbyvägen, Kastelholm (from Mariehamn, take Road nr 2 for half an hour until you see signs for Kastelholm to your right), ☏ +358 18 25426, kastelholm@museum.ax. May-Sep daily 10:00–17:00. Also opened under the Höstlov vacation in October, Jan Karlsgården's Christmas market in November, and Easter.. A medieval castle in the mid-part of the mainland, worth paying a visit. Partly a ruin today, it was founded in the 1380s. There are guided tours in the high season (mid-June to mid-August), mostly in Finnish, but also in Swedish and English. An audio tour is available for Android devices. There are lots of staircases in the castle so the tour is not suitable for disabled people. Ticket price also include entrance to the Vita Björn prison museum. €10/adult, €6/student-retiree-child 7-17 years old., €0 child 0-5 years old. Finnish Museum Card valid for the Castle.
- 2 Jan Karlsgården Open Air Museum (by Kastelholm). May–Sep: daily 10:00–17:00. The museum consist of a number of traditional buildings moved here from other parts of Åland to form a late-1800s agricultural farm. The main building is from Jan Karls homestead, hence the name. The area is open year round, but access into the buildings only in summer season. Kastelholm area tourist information centre and a good restaurant-cafeteria next door. Free.
- 3 Prison museum Vita Björn. May–Sep: daily 10:00–17:00. The Vita Björn served as Åland's prison for 200 years until 1975. There are four cells giving a glimpse on how prisoners' treatment changed from the 1700s to 1950s. The house include also the residence for the warden and his family and some prison related items like chains and a whipping pole are visible. Guide leaflets in separate languages. The entrance fee is included in the Kastelholm Castle ticket. €2/1; cash only.
- 4 Bomarsund Fortress ruins & visitor centre (Bomarsund fästningsruin), Bomarsund (from Mariehamn, take road nr.2 towards Vårdö/Hummelvik), ☏ +358 457 3500596, bomarsund@museum.ax. Visitor centre: May-Aug 10:00-17:00. The ruins are accessible all year round. The huge fortress (over 300 m in diameter) was built by the Russians in 1830–1854, but it was never completed, as the establishment was thoroughly ruined during the Crimean War by the allied English and French. In 2022, a new visitor centre was built near the ruins, where visitors are able to see pictures and objects related to the history of the fortress. as well as films, models, etc. Visitor centre: Adult €10; child 7-17, student or pensioner €5; child 0-6 free. Visiting the ruins is free..
- Saint John the Baptist's church (Johannes Döparens kyrka), Norra Sundsvägen 235 (after passing the chips factory, it's the third road to your left), ☏ +3581842330, norraalandsforsamling@evl.fi. Sund's church is generally understood to be the second oldest church in Åland (and Finland) and the largest one on the archipelago. A Romanesque building characterized by a strong fortified tower, the church is generally opened for visitors in the summer months and host, besides church service, concerts and other events.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Sund's library (Sund's bibliotek), Sundsvägen (in the middle of Finby's village, by the school.), sundsbibliotek@sund.ax. Once the first public school in Åland, the library is opened to the public a few days a week (generally Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). In there you can find newspapers, magazines, and a lot of books, as well as small exhibition spaces.
- Klippan / Sunds ungdomsförening, Klippanvägen 1 (in the middle of Finby village), info@ungdom.ax. The local youth culture organization has been active since 1906 and manages a club house where various events take place throughout the year such as markets, concerts, theater plays and more. In front of the club house stands the Finby village's midsummer pole.
- Ålands Golfklubb, Kastelholmsnäsvägen 22, ☏ +358 18 41 500. On the other side of the water by the castle, the green is opened from early May until October and features two 18-hole course and a clubhouse with changing rooms, lockers and a sauna.
- The watchtower on Prästö. About 1 km north of the main road on Prästö island, the wooden tower delivers beautiful views over most of Sund's wooded and maritime landscape.
- Nygårds Skogsgrisar, 45 Norrbyn. This modern pig farm can be visited in the summer and features a small café. Locally-sourced meat is available all year round.
- Skiing. In good years, there can be 2-3 months of decent skiing conditions in Sund. The most popular spots to go skiing are the gold course and the old cemetery on Prästö.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- Shoppis, Dommarböle (on the main road, halfway between Kastelholm and Bomarsund, take a turn to the left). Sat, 11-15.. A combined second-hand and outlet store, Shoppis has a surprisingly great selection of clothes, toys, interior decoration, home appliances and more. Opens also Fridays in the summer, and sometimes has a little café kiosk open then as well.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Smakbyn, Slottsvägen 134. Fine dining restaurant operated by Åland's celebrity chef Micke Björklund.
- Marina Melina, Björkvägen 2 (Near Jan Karlsgarden Open Air Museum), kastelholmsmarina.melina@gmail.com. May–Sep: 15:00–18:30. Bistro, café and bar with a marina available for both locals and visiting sailors.
- Knallen, Sundsvägen 1087, ☏ +358 18 41805. Every day of the year 10-20 (kitchen closes at 19). A café/restaurant with a little grocery shop section, a gas pump and a charging station for electric cars.
- Furulundsgården, Bryggvägen 1 (right by the camping and the Bomarsung visitor's center), ☏ +358405532631. A café and restaurant opened in the summer months.
- Mattas Gårdsmejeri, Norra Finbyvägen 8, gardsmejeri@mattas.ax. Usually every day in July.. A creamery that produces renowned cheese. The owners operate a cosy café in the summer.
- Golfrestaurangen, Kastelholmsnäs 22, ☏ +358 18 431130, info@golfrestaurangen.ax. Usually early May to late September.. The restaurant and café are on the golf club grounds and are open throughout the whole season.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Åland Distillery, Slottsvägen 133 (by Kastelholm Castle), ☏ +358 184 3730, restaurant@alanddistillery.com. June to mid-August: 10:00–17:00. Has three own home-distillers. They make spirits and gin from the fruits at the vineyard. The apple vodka is called Ålvados, which is a kind of Calvados. They also make wine (Västergårds Äppelvin) with apples that have ripened on the farm's own trees. You can visit the vineyard, walk around among the fruit trees and see how the wine is produced. The guided tour ends in the old threshing house and here you can sample the drinks directly from the wine cellar. Also operate a café and restaurant in the summer months.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Puttes Camping (Bomarsund village), ☏ +358 45-7313-4177, puttes.camping@aland.net. Campsite with cabins.
- Kastelholms Gästhem, 47 Tosarbyvägen. Cabins available for rent in the summer months. Right by the castle.