The Russian fortress of Bomarsund is one of the most important historical monuments of the Åland Islands.Russian fortress Bomarsund is one of the most important historical monuments of the Åland Islands. Its ruins are located 25 kilometres from Port Maria in Marienhamn, Sund municipality.Marienhamn in the municipality of Sund. The Russian Empire started to buildthe fortress on the then Aland Islands in 1832.in 1832. However, the construction was not destined to be completed: in 1846 the construction works were suspended.construction work was suspended due to the fortress being placed under martial law.to martial law, and during the Crimean War the fortress wasDuring the Crimean War the fortress was completely destroyed as a result of the Anglo-French attack in 1854.The main fort of the fortress was built on the island of Aland for 12 years. ВIn addition to it, it was planned to build 14 defence towers.towers, of which only 3 were completed by the beginning of the Crimean War.It is interesting to note that the construction of Bomarsund did not only involve ordinary soldiers.not only ordinary soldiers, but also convicts. Due to the fact thatthe convicts often attempted to escape, the local populationpopulation earned a substantial income from the "hunt" for escapees.
On the territory of the fort managed to erect an Orthodox church, next to theThe fort had a garrison town next to it, and a hospital and some warehouses were built on Præsto IslandPresto Island, a hospital and some storage facilities were built. However, before theattack, all the buildings were burnt down by the population in order to prevent theenemy from taking shelter in them during the battle.
Unfortunately, only ruins remain of the mighty bastion these days. Butdespite this, the fortress still attracts tourists from all over the world.from all corners of the world as one of the most interesting sights of the Aland Islands.Åland Islands.
The red bricks from the blown up walls of Bomarsund later formed the basis ofof many buildings. Thus, Bomarsund red bricks were usedfor the construction of the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption in Helsinki. Only a few cannons and fragments of fortress walls remind us of the scaleof the battle that was fought on the island. The most beautiful views in Ålandis from the ruins of the Nutvik Tower. And not far from the fortress, on the otherBomarsund Museum is located not far from the fortress, on the other side of the rocky passage between the islands.
