Bomarsunds besökscenter
Visitor centre at the Bomarsund fortress ruin in Sund, with an exhibition on the Crimean War of 1854 and on life on Åland in the 19th century.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Bomarsund Fortress was built by the Russian military between 1830 and 1854 as a western outpost, planned for a garrison of 5,000 men. During the Crimean War of 1854 the fortress was destroyed, but the ruins still show an extensive fortified area, with traces of residential areas and burial grounds on Prästö.
The Bomarsund visitor centre opened to the public in June 2022. The exhibition uses films and objects to tell of the events in the shadow of the Crimean War of 1854 and of life on Åland in the 19th century.
The visitor centre is the starting point for the surrounding area with its fortress ruins, the Skarpans, the main fortress, the defence towers and viewpoints. The fortress area and the ruins can be visited all year round.
Highlights
- Exhibition with films and objects on the Crimean War of 1854
- Starting point for the Bomarsund fortress ruins and hiking trails
- Daily guided tours in summer
- Family round Utforska med Skarp (Explore with Skarp)
- The Museikortet (Finnish Museum Card) is valid
Permanent exhibition
- Utställningen i Bomarsunds besökscenter – Films and objects tell of the events in the shadow of the Crimean War of 1854 and of life on Åland in the 19th century.
- Founded
- 2022
- Operated by
- Ålands landskapsregering (Ålands museum)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Children aged 7–17, students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 6 · Children aged 0–6 have free admission. |
| Seniors | €5 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Accompanying persons and personal assistants of people with disabilities have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of at least 10 paying people receive a 20% discount when admission is paid as one transaction at the till; larger groups are preferably divided into groups of no more than 20 people. |
| Summer ticket, adult (six museums) | €20Valid for Kastelholms slott/Vita Björn, the Bomarsund visitor centre, Eckerö post and customs house, and Ålands kulturhistoriska museum / Ålands konstmuseum. |
| Summer ticket, children aged 7–17, students and pensioners | €15 |
| Grave walk on Prästö (2 hours, including coffee and a light snack) | €12Advance booking required; paid at the visitor centre before the guided tour. |
The Finnish Museum Card (Museikortet) is valid. Guided tours for pre-booked groups cost €30 per hour for 1–9 people, €40 for 10–19 people and €50 for 20–30 people, plus admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance is level and has an automatic door opener. Wheelchairs and prams can easily reach the whole space and the exhibition. A rollator and a wheelchair for indoor use can be borrowed at the visitor centre, and folding stools can also be borrowed. Pets are not allowed, except service dogs and guide dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Families can follow the mascot Skarp with a quiz in the app (in Swedish, English and Finnish) or an exhibition round, Utforska med Skarp (Explore with Skarp), in text and audio. The nature trail Över stock och sten (Over Sticks and Stones) suits the whole family. Kubb sets can be borrowed at the information point.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus connections run according to the Ålandstrafiken timetable.
By car
Free parking
Free parking with no time limit is available near the main entrance, with a disabled parking space closest to the entrance.
- Accessible parking
The visitor centre is located at the Bomarsund fortress area in Sund.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Museum shop and a small coffee corner in the entrance. Unstaffed cloakroom and lockable lockers that can be borrowed free of charge. Three toilets, one of which is accessible and has a changing table.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | During the summer, daily guided tours are held in the fortress area: at 12:00 in English and at 14:00 in Swedish (about 30 minutes, included in the admission, no advance booking; register at the reception before the tour). Pre-booked group guided tours take about 45 minutes for up to 30 people. Groups should announce their visit in advance at bomarsund@museum.ax. The Ålands museum app and the outdoor trails can also be used when the visitor centre is closed. |
