Jomala

Jomala is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland.

The municipality has a population of 3,774 (2007) and covers an area of 143.01 km² of which 1.02 km² is water. The population density is 26.5 inhabitants per km².

The municipality is unilingually Swedish.

The only airport in Åland is located in Jomala.

History

It is not known where the name Jomala comes from but it has been suggested that "jom" comes from the name of the Viking god Jom and "ala" means "place". Therefore Jomala would mean "the place where Jom is worshiped".

Jomala was inhabited around 4000 years ago 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 stone church in Åland and it is situated in the village of Prästgården. The oldest parts of the church date from the 12th century. The church tower is 52 meters tall and there is also a memorial for all the Ålanders who have moved away. The "King of Åland" Julius Sundblom is buried here. In the old times there was a great estate on the eastern side of the church.

The Lemström channel divides Jomala from its neighboring municipality, Lemland. It was widened by Russian POWs 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.

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.

Geography

Jomala is bordered by Lemland in the southwest, Mariehamn in the south, Hammarland in the northwest, Finström in the north and Sund in the northeast.

Villages

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, Överby.

People from Jomala

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

External links

* [http://www.jomala.ax Official website of Jomala]
* [http://map3.navici.com/NTP.bHZtIDMwOTQyMjcuODk0MDIgNjY5ODc3Ni41NTY3OCA4NjAgNTc0IDQgYmtnZCAzNTM0NzkwIDY5NzcyMjAgbW92ZXRvIHsgIkt1b3BpbyIgbGFiZWwgeyB9IHdhbGsgbGVnIHsgMCAwIH0gd2FsayBsZWcgeyAtMTEyIC01MyAtNDggMzA1IDk2IC05MSAwIDAgfSB3YWxrIGxlZyAiS3VvcGlvIiBsYWJlbCB9IHJvdXRlLmRyYXcgc2hpcG91dA=.+Tc5fG6SsFuRTcIbcbiBMHJvsF4=.pngMap of Jomala municipality]