Jomala

History

"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 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 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.

There are various well-preserved windmills in Jomala, e.g. on Norrgård farm in Björsby.

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

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, Västerkalmare, Ytterby, Ytternäs, Ödanböle, Önningeby, Österkalmare and Överby.

Climate

|access-date = 19 May 2025}} | Jan record high C = 10.8 | Jan record low C = -32.0 | Feb record low C = -33.1 | Feb record high C = 10.7 | Mar record low C = -23.2 | Mar record high C = 17.4 | Apr record high C = 23.1 | Apr record low C = -13.2 | Jun record high C = 29.3 | May record low C = -5.5 | May record high C = 27.4 | Jun record low C = -1.0 | Jul record high C = 31.6 | Jul record low C = 2.5 | Aug record high C = 30.0 | Aug record low C = 1.0 | Sep record high C = 25.3 | Sep record low C = -5.6 | Oct record low C = -11.0 | Oct record high C = 19.1 | Nov record low C = -18.9 | Nov record high C = 15.7 | Dec record high C = 11.0 | Dec record low C = -30.6 |access-date=May 19, 2025}} | Jul avg record low C = 6.3 | Aug avg record low C = 5.2 | Jun avg record low C = 2.7 | Sep avg record low C = 0.7 | May avg record low C = -2.3 | Oct avg record low C = -3.9 | Apr avg record low C = -5.5 | Nov avg record low C = -6.2 | Mar avg record low C = -12.9 | Dec avg record low C = -10.3 | Jan avg record low C = -15.0 | Feb avg record low C = -15.9 | year avg record low C = -19.2 | Jan avg record high C = 5.9 | Feb avg record high C = 6.0 | Mar avg record high C = 10.6 | Apr avg record high C = 16.2 | May avg record high C = 21.7 | Jun avg record high C = 24.0 | Jul avg record high C = 26.6 | Aug avg record high C = 25.6 | Sep avg record high C = 20.5 | Oct avg record high C = 14.6 | Nov avg record high C = 10.0 | Dec avg record high C = 6.8 | year avg record high C = 27.4

People from Jomala

• Janne Holmén, long-distance runner, European champion in men's marathon
• Ida Zetterström, NHRA drag racing for JCM-Racing in the Top Fuel Dragster class

Gallery

|Municipal building of Jomala municipality, Åland.jpg|A town hall of Jomala |Jomala kyrka på Åland, våren 1991..jpg|The church of Jomala in 1991 |Mariehamn Airport.jpg|The Mariehamn Airport in Jomala |Jomala prästgård, våren 1991..jpg|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 |BjörsbyVäderkvarn.JPG|Windmill in Björsby

References

References

1. "Churches in Åland".
2. Kjell Ekström: ''Åland - skärgård i Östersjön'', p. 46. Mariehamn 2006