Porvoo is known for its fine wooden buildings and Old Town, but the area also provides the perfect opportunity to learn about ancient history, and visit some beautiful islands.
Historic Porvoo is an interesting town that grew at the mouth of the Porvoonjoki River, in a sheltered inlet on the Gulf of Finland. Of its many sights, the most popular is Old Porvoo, a maze of streets alongside the river. Old Porvoo is well known for its wooden houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as Porvoo Cathedral, which looms over the town. Any visit to Porvoo should also include the paintings of local celebrity Albert Edelfelt, and the Iron Age cemetery.
Begin your holiday in Porvoo by exploring the ancient streets and alleyways of Old Porvoo, and their renowned wooden houses. The favourite areas to visit are the streets known as Välikatu and Jokikatu, but don’t be afraid to venture further away from the well-worn paths to investigate the side streets. Make sure you don’t accidently end up in someone’s front garden, though, because people live in these wooden houses! While walking along Jokikatu, you will see Porvoo Castle, the home of J.E. Solitander, and the beautiful red fences along the river bank. It’s well worth taking a photo of them from the other side of the river.
Amid the labyrinthine of Old Porvoo rises Porvoo Cathedral, which dates back to 1450. Since the fire in the spring of 2006, the church has once again been restored to its former glory. So, climb the hill it is built upon and admire this lovely building. You should also go and see the art that Porvoo has to offer, as well as its 18th-century house that belonged to a middle class family here. Porvoo Museum consists of two buildings: the Old Town Hall, which exhibits works by the painter Albert Edelfelt, a native of Porvoo and Holm House, which contains a multimedia exhibition depicting the life of a family of merchants.
Porvoo is the perfect summer destination, bustling with lots of goings-on. During the summer months, you can see art exhibitions, listen to music at the Avanti! Summer Sounds Festival, or stroll around the summer markets. A cheaper time to visit Porvoo is after the summer season has ended, when the colourful autumn leaves make for a beautiful melancholy atmosphere in the cobbled streets. At Christmas, Porvoo is once again full of people and events, especially with the Christmas markets and the wondrous sound of Christmas carols.
Porvoo’s history dates back to the time before urbanisation. There are two interesting hills to the north of Old Porvoo, known collectively as Castle Hill. The lower hill is a burial ground from the Roman Iron Age, and the higher hill was a settlement daring back to the Stone Age. You should also see the lovely old gnarled pine tree that features in Edelfelt’s painting Porvoo Linnamäeltä nähtynä (Porvoo seen from Castle Hill).
Dissected by a river, Porvoo is also a town made up of a number of islands, whose fabulous scenery can be enjoyed by travelling along the waterways. Take a tour around the islands aboard the M/S J.L. Runeberg, or try a river cruise on M/S Fredrika. The boats are named after the Runeberg family. Afterwards, why not treat yourself to what is perhaps Porvoo’s most famous delicacy, the Runeberg tart?
Porvoo has preserved its historic look over the years. Come and explore the many places where prominent Finns used to live.
