Lemland
Lemland is a municipality in Åland. This fairly rural municipality is geographically divided into two parts. The main part consists of the large island of Lemland in the southeast part of mainland Åland. The second part is a chain of small islands (Nåtö-Järsö) connected by bridges and causeways directly south of Mariehamn.
Understand
The Lemböte chapel site was mentioned in a 1241 Danish seafaring manuscript as Lynæbøte, making it one of the oldest documented place names within modern-day Finland. At least part of the current Lemland church has already existed in the middle of the 13th century.
Although the two parts of the island are close to each other on map, there is no direct road connection between them. The road goes around through Jomala and Mariehamn, which gives these areas a significant distance in practice. The administrative center, and the only town-like settlement, is village Söderby.
Lemland is hometown to female football club Åland United which plays in the premier women's football league in Finland.
The psychological thriller Disciple was filmed entirely on the remote lighthouse island Lågskär, where the story is also set. It is one of the very few feature films from Åland and the Finnish submission for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2013.
Get in
Lemland is on highway 3, connecting Mariehamn and Lumparland. You can get in by car, by bike, or by bus.
- 1 Rödhamn guest harbour, ☏ +358 18 54028, rodhamn@segel.ax. Popular guest harbour on a small island south of mainland Åland and about 10 nm from Mariehamn.
Get around
By car, bus or bike. Also your own boat is an option.
Lemland is served by Ålandstrafiken bus line 5. Few bus routes deviate from the main road and visit Hällestorp-Västeränga-Söderflaka. See Ålandstrafiken timetables (landsort or linje 5) for details. The buses leave from and arrive to Mariehamn coach station. Single ticket €2.5 per adult.
The Nåtö-Järsö island chain is served by Mariehamn local traffic line J. Terminus are "Saltkråkan vändplan" (west Järsö) and "Langnäs vändplan" (east Järsö, do not confuse this with Långnäs harbor in Lumparland). Also few tours of line S drive all the way to Järsö. See Ålandstrafiken timetables (tätort > Järsölinjen/Södra linjen) for details.
See
- 1 Lemböte Seafarers' Chapel (in the end of Lembötevägen-Kapellstigen, some 3.5 km from the Lemlandsvägen). A small medieval chapel for seafarers on top of a rocky hill. It became disused over time and decayed into ruins, but was partially restored during the late 19th century. The oldest coins found in the area are from the 12th century and the site is mentioned in a Danish route description from the 13th century, but the exact date of construction of the remaining stone building is not known. It is probably late-medieval. Neither there is certainty when the chapel finally became abandoned, but it is recorded that in 1546 the King of Sweden confiscated the chapel's chalice, and that in 1647 the chapel's roof had already been collapsed. Today, the chapel site is used for occasional services during the summertime. free.
- 2 Lemland church, Norrbyvägen 65. A medieval stone church, the oldest parts of which are from the middle of the 13th century at the latest. The wood used in the wooden structures of the bell tower were timbered in 1311–1316. Inside there are several wooden statues from 14th century and the oledest votive ship dates back to the 17th century. The church is dedicated to Bridget of Sweden.
- 3 Lemström canal. This 350 metres long, 16 metres wide, and 3.5 metres deep canal was opened in 1882. It connects the eastern harbor of Mariehamn with Lumparn and shortens the journey from the north-east of Åland to Mariehamn very significantly. The park surrounding the canal on its both sides is a popular place to spend time. From May to September the bridge across the canal is opened once an hour for 10 minutes to let the tall boats pass by.
- 4 Lumparsund strait. Scenic view to the narrow strait that separates Lemland island from Lumparland island. For cars, there is a circulation on the south side of the main road on the Lumparland side. There are sideways on both sides of the road. free.
- 5 Pellas homestead (Skeppargården Pellas), Skepparvägen 30, ☏ +358 457 313 4012, skeppargardenpellas@gmail.com. Jun-Aug: Tu-Su 11:00-16:00, M closed. Wealthy shipowner Erik Petter Eriksson built this impressive homestead in 1884. Now it acts as a museum during summer season. Café.
Do
During the summer season Shipland arrange day tours to 6 Lågskär lighthouse and 7 Nyhamn lighthouse, the latter located on Lilla Båtskär island. Departures from Mariehamn east harbour. Prices from approx €75/person.
- 1 Nåtö deciduous forest, Båthusgränd 7 (from Mariehamn the parking lot is on the right side of the road; bus stop "Nåtö biologiska"). The Nåtö forest is one of the Åland's natural treasures. The circular nature trails, the longest route 3.5 km, takes you around a lush, deciduous forest with alkaline soil where some very rare plant species grow. The best time to visit is May, when the flower splendor is at its peak. This is a nature reserve: walking outside the paths is strictly prohibited as is any kind of camping within the area. Picking flowers or even stones is forbidden. Leave no trace. Pets must be on a leash all the time. There is a small biological research station by the forest, so you might spot scientists in action here! free.
- 2 Järsö nature trail, Lillbörkövägen 105 (parking lot at Lillbörkövägen, trail entrance 1.1 km from the nearest bus stop). Circular trails 0.3, 0.6, and 2 km long are found on Lilla Björkö. Lilla Björkö is a former island which has conjoined to Järsö due to post-glacial rebound. On shoreline meadows the terrain is wet and therefore trail runs partially on narrow duckboards. free.
- 3 Herröskatan nature trail, Herrövägen 612 (parking lot in the end of Herrövägen road, no public transportation). At the very southernmost point of mainland Åland there is Herröskatan nature reserve. Rare plant species and open sea birds, including white-tailed eagle. Circular nature trail 1.5 km and a bird watching tower with views to south. Daily traffic of the huge cruise ships between Finland and Sweden pass by the point of Herröskatan peninsula just some hundreds of metres away! This is a nature reserve, so camping and walking outside the trails is prohibited. So is picking flowers or stones. Leave no trace. Pets must be on a leash all the time. free.
- Lemlandsleden (The Lemland's Trail). A 25-km-long marked hiking trail: Lemström canal - Lemböte chapel - Knutsboda - Söderby - Church - Norrby - Bistorp - Granboda - Lumparsund.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Mormors Gröna Hus, Sjögrensgatan 23, ☏ +358 45 7345 0323, boka@mormors.ax. Restaurant using local produce. Reservation is obligatory.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Amalias Café & Logi, Lemlandsvägen 1865, ☏ +358 45 7003 4000, amalia@aland.net. Lodging and café.