The outer arichipelago of Åland FÖGLÖ     Föglö is one of the 16 municipalities of the Åland Islands. Föglö is accessible by ferry from Svinö in Lumparland about 25 kilometres from Mariehamn. There is also a ferryservice from Galtby on the Finnish mainland which stops in Överö, Föglö.

Föglö has about 600 inhabitants, living in 22 villages. The area is 105² km. The villages are situated on Föglös larger islands which are connected by bridges, roadbanks and one wire-ferry. The economy is mainly based onseafaring and fishfarming, but also on tourism and other services.

 

The name Föglö, or Fyghelde according to an itinerary dated around 1240, is of German origin and means ’the place of many birds’. 'The main shippingroute between Sweden and Finland crosses Föglö and has done so from the Viking era. During the great wars between Sweden and Russia in the 18th century a famous naval battle was fought at Flisö and the local population suffered severely.

Föglö has a varying nature with hundreds of islands and skerries. On the main islands the farmed land and needlewoods are dominant. The villages of Vargskär and Näversholma are known for their rare vegetation. In Föglö´s southern parts the islands get smaller and smaller until they are only rocks in the sea. The finest way to explore the nature is by canoe, from which you are able to observe the birdlife from nearby and make your way through the small sounds.

 

 

Next to an old sailing route the church of Maria Magdalena is found, one of the medieval churches of Åland, probably stemming from the beginning of the 14th century. During the last restoration in 1967 a crucifix was found in the old altarground. It contained a pergament with the text Maria Magdalena and a piece of bone believed to have come from the saint of that name.

 

 

The small museum in Degerby is located in a warehouse that was built in 1826 and used by the customs to store goods. Since 1982 different exhibitions, showing aspects of life in Föglö in past and present times, have been shown each year. Open only during summer.

 

 

 

Enigheten has been an inn for seafarers for hundreds of years and is now again a guest house. The farmstead has a traditional main house and a court house, where district court sessions were held until 1944, as well as several outhouses. The buildings have been restored, and the old windmill has been replaced to retain Enighetens originality.

 

 

 

In the summer of 2009 the touristinformation at the ferrylanding in Degerby is open from

June 17 to August 22

Mondays - Saturdays 10-17.30

Sundays 10-16 (closed for lunch 12-12.30)

 

Visit us or contact us by e-mail info@foglo.ax or by phone; 0457-3427274.

 

Let us tell you about the exhibition in the small museum next door (this summer about women and their professions or entrepreneurship), about the art and handicraft exhibitions in the municipality, about where to find a beach and where to rent a canoe or to book a boat tour.

 

Welcome!

 

Hompage-tips on Föglö:

 

Isakssons cottage village 
Gustavssons cottages
Petterssons cottages
Guesthouse Enigheten
Coja Fishing
Karins' riding school
Artists' Gallery Kjell Ekström

 

 

FISHING LICENSES

are sold at the banks in Degerby and by the local tourist hosts. Fisking guides: Contact Isakssons cottage village or Coja Fishing, please find websites above.

 

For more information, also outside the summer season:

Touristinformation of Åland

phone +358-18-24000,

e-mail: info@visitaland.com and see