Mariehamn
Template:Short description Template:Infobox settlement
Mariehamn (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell,<ref>Template:Cite Merriam-Webster</ref> Template:IPA; Template:Langx Template:IPA; Template:Langx) is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. The city is the seat of the Government of Åland and the Parliament of Åland, and about 40% of Åland’s population live there. Mariehamn borders Jomala to the north and west and Lemland to the east.
Like the rest of Åland, the city is unilingually Swedish-speaking. Most inhabitants have Swedish as their native language.<ref name="population_by_language">Template:Cite web </ref>
The coat of arms of Mariehamn reflects the city’s main livelihood, maritime transport, and its linden tree–lined parks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The coat of arms was designed by Nils Byman and confirmed in 1951.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Mariehamn’s central location in the Baltic Sea makes it a popular summer destination. Approximately 1.5 million tourists visit each year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Mariehamn was named after the Russian empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824–1880), meaning Template:Literal translation. The town was founded on 21 February 1861 around the village of Övernäs,<ref name="sjöfartspromenaden">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> then part of Jomala municipality. The city later expanded into Jomala. It was built to a regular plan that remains well preserved. One of the oldest streets is Södragatan, with 19th-century wooden houses.
In the mid-19th century, cargo shipping developed, and several shipowners and shipyards settled in the growing town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After the First World War, Mariehamn hosted the Mariehamn Grain Fleet.<ref name="SWW">Template:Cite journal</ref>
On 8 November 1963, a plane crash in Mariehamn killed 22 of 25 people, Finland’s second-deadliest air accident.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the city’s population by year was:
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 9 966 |
| 1990 | 10 263 |
| 1997 | 10 408 |
| 2000 | 10 488 |
| 2002 | 10 632 |
| 2004 | 10 712 |
| 2006 | 10 824 |
| 2008 | 11 005 |
| 2009 | 11 123 |
| 2010 | 11 190 |
| 2011 | 11 262 |
| 2012 | 11 346 |
| 2013 | 11 393 |
| 2014 | 11 480 |
| 2015 | 11 461 |
| 2016 | 11 565 |
| 2017 | 11 677 |
| 2018 | 11 743 |
| 2019 | 11 679 |
| 2020 | 11 705 |
| 2021 | 11 742 |
| 2022 | 11 757 |
| 2023 | 11 812 |
| 2024 | 11 866 |
Foreign-born residents
As of 2018, the largest groups of foreign-born residents in Mariehamn were:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Country | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 1 093 | 9.55 |
| Template:Flag | 173 | 1.51 |
| Template:Flag | 163 | 1.42 |
| Template:Flag | 101 | 0.85 |
| Template:Flag | 92 | 0.80 |
| Template:Flag | 86 | 0.75 |
| Template:Flag | 86 | 0.75 |
| Template:Flag | 73 | 0.64 |
| Template:Flag | 55 | 0.48 |
| Template:Flag | 45 | 0.39 |
Transport
Airport
Mariehamn Airport serves the city with regular flights operated by Finnair and regional airlines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="protheropage5">Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="protheropage5" />
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="fmi-climate-regions">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lowest recorded temperature: −32.9 °C (−27.2 °F) in February 1979
- Highest recorded temperature: 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in July 1941 and 2022<ref name="fmi-climate-regions" />
Data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute provide climate averages for 1991–2020 and historical records since 1914.<ref name="fmi-normals">Template:Cite web</ref>
Twin towns
Mariehamn has the following twin towns:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Iceland – Kópavogur
- Norway – Kragerø
- Estonia – Kuressaare
- Russia – Lomonosov, Russia – partnership suspended in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 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
Images
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Central Mariehamn -
Wooden residential buildings in Mariehamn -
Södragatan -
Ålandsvägen -
St. George's Church -
Esplanade along Storagatan -
Museum ship Pommern -
Åland Museum -
City library
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