Lemland: Nature, Seafaring and Medieval Art

If you’re looking for a hotel in Lemland, you can plan your stay around the themes that matter most to you: medieval art, maritime history, natural areas or hiking. In Lemland, you’ll find historic buildings and works of art as well as landscapes and trails in nature.

Seafaring History and Historic Sites

The four skerries belonging to Rödhamn served as shelter from storms in the Åland Sea for seafarers from the Middle Ages onward. Shipowner Erik Petter Eriksson built Skeppargården Pellas in 1884. The skerries thus reflect the historic use of the area as shelter from storms at sea, while Pellas is a building with a specifically named builder and construction date. The old seafarers’ chapel at Lemböte dates from the 12th century and is a worthwhile destination for an outing. Both the chapel and the skerries point to the Middle Ages; the year 1884 gives Pellas a distinctly later historical reference point.

Medieval Art

The Lemland Madonna is a sculpture carved from oak dating from the 1320s. It depicts Mary with the infant Jesus on her lap. Lemland Church houses two crucifixes from the 14th century, as well as other late medieval figures. The dates place the works in the Middle Ages; at the same time, the oak Madonna, the crucifixes and the other figures differ in their depictions. If you’re interested in religious art, these descriptions offer several different subjects and forms.

Nåtö and Herröskatan: Nature and History

The landscape on Nåtö includes flower-rich meadows with wild orchids, old pastures, coastal meadows and lush hazel groves. The meadows are mown traditionally every year in July. In Nåtö Nature Reserve, stay on the marked trails, keep dogs on a leash, and do not collect plants or other natural materials. Check the nature reserve’s latest visitor information before your visit.

Herröskatan Nature Reserve has walking trails, picnic areas with tables and benches, and a birdwatching tower. There are also ruins of fortifications from both world wars. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the walking trails, the birdwatching opportunities or the picnic areas; the ruins add a historical dimension to the area.

Hiking and Seasonal Outings

The Lemlandsleden trail can be hiked in several stages. If hiking is a focus of your stay, you can plan it as a multi-stage option. Lemströms Canal is a destination for an outing in summer, when boat traffic is busy. The two options therefore differ in character: the Lemlandsleden trail is all about hiking in several stages, while the canal is characterized by seasonal boat traffic.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Geta, Lumparland, Gottby, Hammarland, Finström, Ödkarby, Eckerö, Markusböle.

Back to the main travel guide: Åland’s Countryside.