Jomala is a
municipality of
Åland, an autonomous territory of
Finland. In terms of population, it is the next largest after
Mariehamn, the capital of
Åland.
The municipality has a population of 5,698 (31 December 2023)[2] and covers an area of 687.00 square kilometres (265.25 sq mi) of which 544.43 km2 (210.21 sq mi) is water.[1] The
population density is 39.92 inhabitants per square kilometre (103.4/sq mi).
"Jomala" is the name of a
god common to many
Finno-Ugric 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
Mariehamn 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[6] 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 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. It was widened by
RussianPOWs in 1882.
The Kungsö
battery was one of the ten
coastal batteries 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,
Swedish and
German 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.[7]
Culture
Since Jomala belongs to the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland,
Midsummer is celebrated every year by hoisting up a
maypole. It was a tribute to the
sun in the ancient times. Harvest festivities are held every September.
The Jomala Rectory as seen by Lake Dalkarby in 1991. The rectory was built in 1848 and an
Art Nouveau veranda was added in the beginning of the 20th century.