What is there hiding in the depths of the sea

Come and say hello to the giant squid, sea serpent, bloody sea cucumber, sea bishop and other mythical sea creatures at the “Sea Monsters” exhibition, which will be opening at the Åland Maritime Museum.

Once upon a time, humans believed that the world was flat and the sea was filled with all manner of sea monsters. For example, in 1539, when Archbishop Olaus Magnus drafted his Carta Marina map of the Nordic and Baltic countries. The map showed not only islands and the sea, but also real and imaginary creatures. The Carta Marina is the basis for the Sea Monsters exhibition, which will take you on a voyage of discovery among all the creatures of the deep.

TOGETHER WITH PLAYWRIGHT and children’s book author, Laura Ruohonen, and illustrator, Erika Kallasmaa, you’ll go on a hair-raising journey to hitherto unknown worlds. You’ll learn about the mythical creatures of the sea in poems and illustrations. The result is an exciting exhibition with enormous monsters and amusing rhymes. Titillating and just the right amount of creepy. You’ll be able to read, listen, touch and even hug - if you dare!

Even though the exhibition is aimed at children, it is so informative that the whole family will enjoy it. The massive plush monsters are accompanied by facts and explanations about how people saw the world around them in the Middle Ages.

ALSO WORTH SEEING is the Maritime Museum’s main exhibition, which now has a newly renovated Cabinet of Curiosities, filled with exotic souvenirs brought home by seafarers. The museum also has a unique pirate flag, one of only two genuine pirate flags in the entire world. Kids love the “Ruby and the Sea” activity room.

From May to September, you can climb aboard the sailing ship Pommern and follow a fictional 100-day aroundthe-world voyage.

MARITIME SIGHTS TO SEE

ÅLAND MARITIME MUSEUM in Mariehamn. Sea Monsters opens on 2 April. MUSEUM SHIP POMMERN in Mariehamn. MARITIME QUARTER IN MARIEHAMN, with the Ship and Boat building Museum. SKEPPARGÅRDEN PELLAS in Lemland. KOBBA KLINTARS PILOT STATION outside Mariehamn. LASSE ERIKSSON’S SHIP MUSEUM at Vårdö.