Källskär, a gem on the outskirts of ohe Åland archipelago
Nestled on the outskirts of the picturesque Åland archipelago, Källskär is a captivating blend of natural wonders. There are hundreds of beautiful islands in the area, but Källskär is a crown jewel among them.
You can only experience the magic of the island once you’re there. Towering cliffs adorned with hardy juniper bushes create a dramatic landscape when you land, and the further you walk into the island, the more different kind of rock formations you see.
Källskär is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the whole Åland islands. But don’t worry, Popular here means a group of 25 people on a day trip plus 6 boats moored in its little harbour. There is still plenty of space and peace there!
What Brings People To Källskär?
For years people have come to this far-out island. There are a number of reasons, why.
1 Källskär’s beaker
Källskär’s beaker is a special rock formation on the island’s southern tip. It was formed during the ice age about 9,000 years ago. It is believed to have been sculpted by rotating stones in an ice river during the melting phase of the ice.
It is like a reversed pothole of three meters high, all smooth with soft curves. Truly a nature’s masterpiece.
The beaker is protected as a natural monument since 1925 and is now the most prominent natural monument of Åland.
2 Creek Garden
Yes, you read it right! There is a mediterranean garden on this remote island.
A Swedish baron, Göran Åkerhielm, fell in love with the island while visiting there in 1958. He moved to Kökar intending to buy his beloved island, which he finally managed to do in 1965 (only the middle bit of the island).
What he did then really changed the history of the island; he started a construction project that lasted for 18 years. The magnificent result of this hard work is now there for everyone to see.
The locals called Åkerhielm the Count and many of them worked for him during his massive project. He wanted to change this stony marsh into a Greek garden!
All work, including moving the big boulders, was done by hand, the use of machinery was not allowed. All the rock fences you can see today, dividing the garden into separate areas, have been moved by hand.
There was no soil on the island. All the soil that could be found was harvested from other islands and little by little there was enough soil for planting. In the garden, there are, among other things, huge rhododendron bushes and grapevines, which still produce grapes today.
And a garden is not a garden without some marble statues! You can find Sergel’s famous statue of Mars and Venus in the garden and a marble statue of Hercules, among others.
3 The Villa
A Finnish architect Reima Pietilä has designed the villa. Pietilä has among other things designed the home of the president of Finland. The house is called Mäntyniemi. The Count wanted to have a villa, which was a combination of Finnish and Creek architecture.
The villa was made in the shape of a Karelian cottage with a large brick fireplace in the middle of the house. Outside there’s a Greek peristyle made of thick logs.
The peristyle was built on a large stone terrace overlooking the sea, and in the middle of the terrace, a huge flat stone was used as a cheese board during the sumptuous dinners that were served out here!
The Count had many visitors to the island during the years. One of them was Tove Jansson, the creator of Moomins. Tove’s partner was architect Reima Pietilä’s sister Tuulikki Pietilä.
Some say Tove Jansson wrote his book Moominpappa at Sea here, but I don’t know if this is true. Anyway, it is a fact that she painted a Moomin-themed picture for the Count on top of his mantelpiece.
There is still a copy of that painting in the villa. The original is now at the art museum in Mariehamn.
The count had asked Jansson to paint him a picture like this:”Do something with wild cliffs, why not a hysterical Fillyjonk, a sea creature, or actually whatever.” It is the only Moomin-themed painting of Tove Jansson, who was not only an author but also an artist.
Below is an interesting 12-minute document about the painting and Jansson, which is worth watching.
4 Statue of Hermes
A little bit away from the villa, on top of a high cliff, you can find one more Källskär icon. In front of the island’s best view, there is a bronze statue of Mercury, a replica of a famous statue by Italian sculptor Giambologna. Here the statue is called Hermes.
The Roman god Mercury was known as the messenger of the gods and the god of commerce, travel, and eloquence. Hermes is the equivalent figure in Greek mythology, representing the same deity.
It is worth climbing to the statue. There’s a wonderful view over the blue shimmering sea and the horizon from there.
Åkerhielm transferred his part of the island and the buildings to the region of Åland in 1984 and that’s how it is for everyone to see and enjoy now.
5 Stunning nature
This island is a testament to the raw beauty of nature, offering a mesmerizing combination of rugged cliffs, resilient juniper bushes, sculpted rock formations, and the soothing presence of smooth pebbles beneath your feet.
The cliffs, weathered by time, boast a smooth surface that invites exploration, providing both a visual feast and a tactile experience.
You will notice that the bedrock and rocks are red! This is relatively rare Kökar granite, which is found on Källskär and some other nearby islands. It was formed 1600 million years ago!
How to get to källskär
From Karlby village in Kökar, there are tours to Källskär daily during the summer season. Usually, that means between the end of June to around the 15th of August. The exact dates vary yearly so please check from the link below.
The tour costs 45 €/adults and 15 €/child. It leaves on the seaside in front of the Brudhäll hotel.
The price includes a boat trip to the island, a guided tour, and a boat trip back, altogether 3,5-4 hours.
Wear sturdy shoes because the terrain is rough.
Outside the season you can ask for a private tour, the minimum is been five persons.
More information of Källskär tours and bookings
You also ask for a private tour from Sandvik Marina & Camping
What is the best time to travel to källskär
The best time to travel is in the summer because of the organised tours.
Other times you might be lucky to get one of the locals to take you there, just ask around in the hotel Brudhäll or Sandvik. If you have a boat or a kayak, then the best time to visit is outside the peak season for a more private experience.
The garden around the villa is at its best in early to middle June when dozens of big rhododendron bushes are blooming. It is magical! The blooming time varies, so there’s no guarantee when the exact time is though.
See the blooming rhododendrons: Kayaking and Rhododendron Magic in Källskär
You can get to Källskär from Kökar. Read more here
