Jomala is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland. In terms of population, it is the next largest after

Mariehamn Mariehamn ( , ; fi, Maarianhamina ; la, Portus Mariae) is the capital city, capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finland, Finnish sovereignty. Mariehamn is the seat of the Government of Åland, Government and Parliament of Åland, ...

, the capital of Åland. The municipality has a population of () and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is . The municipality is unilingually

Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...

. Mariehamn Airport is located in Jomala. Three of Åland's four highways cross the municipality of Jomala as they start from Mariehamn;

highway 1 The following highways are numbered 1. For roads numbered A1, see list of A1 roads. For roads numbered B1, see list of B1 roads. For roads numbered M1, see List of M1 roads. For roads numbered N1, see list of N1 roads. For roads numbered ...

runs west to Eckerö, highway 2 northeast to Sund and highway 3 east to

Lumparland Lumparland is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland. It is the smallest municipality on mainland Åland. The municipality has a population of () and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is . The mun ...

History

"Jomala" is the name of a god common to many Finnic peoples. Jumala is Finnish for god and Jomala is one of the sites where the Christian church organized itself in Finland. Other versions of the name that have occurred are Jwmala in 1356, Jomalum in 1414, Jomala in 1486 and Jwmala in 1494. One of oldest churches in Finland stands here as testament to these times. Jomala was inhabited around 2000 BC with Jettböle being one of the most renowned prehistoric sites. Other ancient sites include Borgberget, where there was a Viking fortress, and Kasberget which was one of the many mountains where signal fires were lit when enemies were seen approaching. Before the city of

was established in 1861, the peninsula where the city is situated was a part of Jomala.

Sights

The church of Jomala is dedicated to the patron saint of Åland, St. Olav. It is the oldest surviving church in Finland and it is situated in the village of Prästgården. The oldest parts of the church date from the 13th century. The church tower is 52 meters tall and there is also a memorial for all the Ålanders who emigrated. Another memorial refers to sailors who lost their lives at sea. The "King of Åland"

Julius Sundblom August Julius Sundblom (22 June 1865 – 23 August 1945) was an editor and politician in Åland, Finland. Sundblom was born in Jomala, Åland. He founded '' Tidningen Åland'' in 1891, and was its editor-in-chief during 1891–1896 and 1921� ...

is buried here. A large medieval cemetery with graves from the Iron Age can be visited behind the church. The Lemström channel divides Jomala from its neighboring municipality,

Lemland Lemland is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland. The municipality has a population of () and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is . The municipality is unilingually Swedish. The Lemström chan ...

. It was widened by Russian POWs in 1882. The Kungsö

battery Battery most often refers to: * Electric battery, a device that provides electrical power * Battery (crime), a crime involving unlawful physical contact Battery may also refer to: Energy source *Automotive battery, a device to provide power t ...

was one of the ten

coastal batteries Coastal artillery is the branch of the armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. From the Middle Ages until World War II, coastal artillery and naval artillery in the form of c ...

which the Russians built in Åland during the First World War in 1916. The battery was situated 32 meters above sea level, on the highest point of Dalsberg. Finnish,

and

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

troops invaded it in 1918. It was dismantled in 1919 by Finnish civilian workers. There are various well-preserved windmills in Jomala, e.g. on ''Norrgård'' farm in Björsby.Kjell Ekström: ''Åland - skärgård i Östersjön'', p. 46. Mariehamn 2006

Culture

Since Jomala belongs to the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland, Midsummer is celebrated every year by hoisting up a

maypole A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, around which a maypole dance often takes place. The festivals may occur on 1 May or Pentecost (Whitsun), although in some countries it is instead erected at ...

. It was a tribute to the sun in the ancient times. Harvest festivities are held every September.

Geography

Jomala is bordered by

in the southwest,

in the south, Hammarland in the northwest, Finström in the north and Sund in the northeast.

Villages

These are Andersböle, Björsby, Buskböle, Dalkarby, Djurvik, Gottby, Gölby, Hammarudda, Hinderböle, Ingby, Jomalaby, Karrböle, Kila, Kungsöby, Möckelby, Möckelö, Norrsunda, Rasmansböle, Ringsböle, Sviby, Södersunda, Torp, Ulvsby, Vargsunda, Västansunda, Västerkalmar, Ytterby, Ytternäs, Ödanböle, Önningeby, Österkalmar and Överby.

People from Jomala

* Janne Holmén, long distance runner, European champion in men's marathon

Gallery

References

External links

Municipality of Jomala
– Official website
Map of Jomala municipality
{{authority control Municipalities of Åland