- Jomala
Jomala is a municipality of
Åland , an autonomous territory ofFinland .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 abovesea 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 amaypole . It was a tribute to thesun 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 marathonExternal links
* [http://www.jomala.ax Official website of Jomala]
* [http://map3.navici.com/NTP.bHZtIDMwOTQyMjcuODk0MDIgNjY5ODc3Ni41NTY3OCA4NjAgNTc0IDQgYmtnZCAzNTM0NzkwIDY5NzcyMjAgbW92ZXRvIHsgIkt1b3BpbyIgbGFiZWwgeyB9IHdhbGsgbGVnIHsgMCAwIH0gd2FsayBsZWcgeyAtMTEyIC01MyAtNDggMzA1IDk2IC05MSAwIDAgfSB3YWxrIGxlZyAiS3VvcGlvIiBsYWJlbCB9IHJvdXRlLmRyYXcgc2hpcG91dA=.+Tc5fG6SsFuRTcIbcbiBMHJvsF4=.pngMap of Jomala municipality]
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