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Visit Medieval Porvoo, Finland14th Century City's Cathedral, Town Hall Delight Photographers
An hour's drive from Helsinki, 14th century Porvoo is a photographers' delight with its cathedral, Town Hall, medieval architecture and cobbled lanes with flower borders
Porvoo, the country's second oldest, seems hundreds of years, rather than an hour's bus ride from Finland's capital, Helsinki. On a summer Sunday morning, the tangle of bushes along the abandoned railroad right-of-way hangs heavy with wild raspberries. Across the river, the medieval town begins its daily ablutions. Waiters carry tables onto a terrace. The florist flanks his front doorway with potted begonias and old-fashioned bouquets in baskets. HistoryPorvoo grew up on the banks of the Porvoo River in the 14th Century. The oldest building in town, the greystone cathedral, was built between 1414-1418, but looks amazingly contemporary. Down the hill from the cathedral, the Town Hall was constructed in two years, 1762-1764, by the townspeople themselves. But they ran out of funds, so the clock tower wasn't added until 1771. Important AttractionsThe home from 1852 to 1877 of the famous Finnish poet, J. L. Runeberg, is one of the town's most important attractions. Sculptures by his son, Walter Runeberg are displayed against elegantly simple grey walls in a neighboring Empire-style house. The Town Hall, which was slated for demolition at the end of the last century, now houses a historical museu. The adjacent 1762 Holm's House contains paintings and sculptures by prominent Finnish artists. Lining the river are colorful warehouses, which were used for storing salt and colonial products brought to town by way of the sea. Actually, the entire old town is a museum of sorts. Wander down any street and you'll discover cupolas, intriguing roof lines, marvelous detail around doors and windows. Walk up the hill to the cathedral, then wind down the narrow lanes between rows of houses. Keep an eye out for the stone foundations, washed by centuries of rain and snow; for the lace curtained windows, the chimneys and weather vanes. Across the RiverTake some time to cross the river (though traffic is heavy on the bridge that's part of the highway route, on the "Old Bridge" about a block away you'll rarely meet a car). Camera in hand, follow the gravel road that runs along the riverbank for picture postcard views of the old town. Despite its appeal to tourists, Porvoo's buildings haven't been sacrificed to the tourist trade. Though they're handsomely restored and meticulously kept, most of them are private homes or everyday businesses like hardware, drug and clothing stores. Step inside the stores and you’ll find great items to bring home for friends and for yourself. The plastic kitchenware is especially attractive, well designed and sure to please any cook. There are marvelous Finnish fabrics, porcelain and glassware as well as yarn and craft kits. Though like everywhere in Europe, prices are high for North Americans, quality is high, too.
The copyright of the article Visit Medieval Porvoo, Finland in Finland Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish Visit Medieval Porvoo, Finland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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