Porvoo has a long history and is considered one of the oldest Finnish cities. Therefore, the question of what to see there is easy to solve. To do this, it is enough to know basic information about local attractions and plan a route on your own. In addition, Parvoo is so miniature that you can easily navigate on foot.
Holiday season in Porvoo
The best time to travel to Porvoo is from May to September. During these months, the air temperature is very comfortable. In May, the thermometer rises to + 10-13 in the daytime, in early June it begins to significantly warm up to + 17-20 degrees. The maximum temperature in July is +22 degrees, which indicates the absence of exhausting heat. This is one of the reasons why those who cannot stand hot weather like to travel to Porvoo.
From September the air gradually cools down and the warm days are replaced by inclement weather. From November to December, the maximum amount of precipitation falls in the form of drizzling and torrential rains. Under such climatic conditions, rest can be spoiled.
The average daily air temperature in January is -4 degrees. February is characterized by a drop in temperature to -5 degrees. Snow often falls before early March, which sometimes hinders transport links between different parts of the city.
TOP 10 places of interest in Porvoo
Old city
Porvoo is one of the oldest cities in Finland and dates back to 1380. The first place to go is the old part of the city. First of all, the imagination is struck by the mosaic layout of the quarters, which has remained unchanged to the present day. Winding streets, roads paved with round cobblestones, colorful houses, a cozy atmosphere - all this you can appreciate when you get to this area of Porvoo.
Also in the old town are the main attractions, visiting which you will learn a lot about the cultural heritage of the country. The house where the famous Finnish poet Johan Ludwig Runeberg was born deserves special attention.
Cathedral
One of the key shrines is located on the main square of Porvoo and is the hallmark of the city. According to historical data, the cathedral was erected in the 13th century from noble wood species. Later, the building was rebuilt several times, and today it is a temple, created according to all the canons of classical medieval architecture.
Over the centuries, the church has been repeatedly destroyed, the first of which dates back to 1508. In 1571 and 1591, the temple was burned down by the Russian military, after which a new stone structure was built in its place. The internal interior is distinguished by asceticism and austerity. This is evidenced by the Gothic vaults, the presence of frescoes on the pilasters, calm colors.
An interesting fact is that near the altar there is a monument to Alexander I, which opened the convocation of the Diet, which was held in the cathedral in 1809.
Museum of dolls and toys
This place is recommended for those who are fond of the history of national toys. The museum is located on Yokikatu Street and accepts tourists only by prior arrangement in small groups.
The museum is privately owned and was founded in 1974 thanks to the efforts of Evi Sederlung, who has been studying doll history throughout her life. The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that more than 1500 various exhibits were collected on one territory, uniting the period from 1800 to 1970.
Each toy or doll has been carefully selected by Sederlung to become part of the original collection. The museum staff will take you on a guided tour, including a tour of the halls and acquaintance with the most interesting exhibits.
Haiko Manor
A tourist complex is located at a distance of 7 kilometers from Porvoo, which is not inferior in its splendor to the best resort areas in Europe. On an area of 14 hectares, there are picturesque forests, green lawns and stone cliffs. The Haiko Manor, built in the 14th century, harmoniously blends into this natural beauty.
Until 1966, the luxurious house belonged to different owners, after which it was bought by Finnish entrepreneurs, who turned the mansion into a luxury hotel. Today there is everything for a secluded holiday: gazebos have been installed, the landscape has been ennobled, and the beach has been equipped.
The manor will offer you rooms for every taste, as well as an individual wellness program. Several types of saunas, a swimming pool were built for visitors in Haiko, and a restaurant with traditional cuisine was opened.
Runeberg Museum
If you go to Porvoo, be sure to visit the interesting museum on Aleksanterinkatu Street. The museum was founded in 1882, when the city authorities decided to open a museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous Finnish poet Johan Ludwig Runeberg. This person is the national symbol of the country, as evidenced by the particularly reverent attitude of the Finns to his personality.
In 2004, the building of the museum was completely reconstructed, but at the same time it retained the atmosphere of antiquity. In each of the rooms of the house, interior items and dishes are arranged in the same way as during the poet's life. The museum staff restored to the details the peculiarities of the Runeberg family's life and tried to recreate everything in its original form.
There is a garden planted in the 19th century near the mansion. A separate gallery was built next to it, where sculptures made by the poet's son are exhibited.
Park Noark
Tourists are happy to visit this place, as here you can see miniatures of the most famous sights of the world. The journey begins with a mini-train ride by rail, 8 kilometers from the center of Porvoo.
The train arrives at the terminal station, which looks like an open-air museum. Visitors walk for hours in the park, looking at models and layouts of the Titanic, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Nikolsky Cathedral, Vyborg Fortress, etc.
At the end of the excursion, tourists go to souvenir shops selling wood, leather, figurines, jewelry and other pleasant gifts.
Hill Merchant House
Finns are proud of their history and try to preserve architectural monuments that reflect different periods of the country's life. These attractions include a house belonging to the merchant dynasty Holm. The building is located in the center of the old town and has been attracting tourists since 1760. The mansion was originally built of wood and later rebuilt from bricks.
The house, inconspicuous at first glance, opens from a new side as soon as you get inside. The ground floor houses the premises where the workers' rooms were located many years ago. Everything here is imbued with the spirit of antiquity, from furniture to interior details.
On the second floor there are museum halls, including expositions:
- Photos of the period of the XIX-XX centuries;
- Finnish sculptures;
- China;
- Embroidery, paintings, prints, tapestries, stained-glass windows.
Castle hill
On the banks of the Porvoonjoki River, there is a hill whose historical value has been established through regular archaeological excavations. In the 13th century, the Swedes built a castle on the hill, which was destroyed in the 15th century.
For several decades, archaeologists have discovered artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages in this area. This was the reason that the hill was included in the list of national treasures and is strictly protected by the state.
Currently, there are residential buildings and other buildings on the hill. Tourists come here to climb the observation deck and see the amazing panorama of Porvoo from an unusual perspective.
You can walk along the hill or take a ride by car. In any case, you will get the maximum of positive emotions and impressions by deciding to visit the hill.
Brunberg Confectionery
On the outskirts of the city, there is the oldest factory in Finland, which produces delicious confectionery products according to a unique recipe. The factory began functioning in 1870 and to this day pleases customers with sweets, truffles, and chocolate bars.
An excursion is held for visitors, consisting of a tour of production workshops, where masters of confectionery conduct master classes. The shop and cafeteria on the ground floor should be noted separately. Aromatic coffee, the best chocolate in the country and mastic products will delight every sweets lover.
Additionally, you can order a cake, a chocolate bar or candies with an engraving made of golden-colored sugar syrup. At the same time, the cost of such a presentation is very acceptable compared to other Finnish cities.
Art Marina Gallery
At a distance of 35 kilometers from Porvoo, near the ferry, there is an interesting gallery, which displays an exhibition of paintings by the marine painter Tertta Schroderus-Gustafsson. The main themes of paintings and prints are dedicated to seascapes and harsh northern nature. All works painted in oils, pastels or acrylics, exhibited in a single copy, are of significant value for the culture of the country.
The atmosphere of the gallery is unusual and is created due to the fact that the collection is housed in a colorful hut, built a century ago. There are practically no buildings near the hut, and the surrounding landscape fascinates with its pristine beauty.
The entrance to the gallery is free in summer and autumn. If you want to get inside in winter or early spring, then this must be agreed in advance with the employees.
