Porvoo Things to Do

The imposing salmon-colored building up the hill on Valikatu Street was once the Old Town Hall (1764) but is now the home of the Porvoo Museum. Actually, the Porvoo Museum is composed of two museums and two buildings: the Historical Museum and the Edelfelt-Vallgren Art Museum. The mission of the Historical Museum is to showcase the history and culture of Porvoo and the region through its collection of furniture, textiles, local artists' work, glass, toys and the like which is shown throughout the first floor. The second floor is dedicated to the what life was like in Porvoo during Medieval times.

The Edlfelt-Vallgren Museum concentrates soley on the work of two local artists who gained international recognition: Albert Edelfelt (1855-1905), and Ville Vallgren (1855-1940). Edelfelt was a painter and it was through the bequest of his two sisters upon which the museum's collection was ensured. The work of Vallgren, the sculptor, was donated during his lifetime by the sculptor himself.

The work of other noted local artists is also on display. The museum is also responsible for the J.L. Runeberg home & contents.

One ticket gains you admission to both museum exhibits which is made even easier to visit by the facts that the 2 museums keep the same schedule: May - August, Monday - Saturday hours are 10 am to 4pm; Sundays 11 -4. September - April open only Wednesday through Sunday 12 -4.

The price for admission covering both museums is 5 Euros for adults; 1 Euro for children 7 - 17 yrs old; groups of 15 or more is 4 Euros. *** The museum will be closed for renovations from September, 2005 to ??????***

and
- fishing trip in the archipelago
- ice fishing
- restaurant hopping in Old Town
- biking tour in Porvoo

more information on Porvoo Tours pages. Chech out their pages especially if you are planning a group tour in Porvoo.

Especially the fishing trip in the archipelago is fun. There are no boats for hire, so this would be an easy way to go and see the archipelago and enjoy a summerday.
Restaurant hopping can be done easily by yourself, just get a map from the Tourist Office, which is located by the Old Town and there you go!

Porvoo Cathedral is dedicated to the mother of Jesus (Mary). During the summertime there's short organ concerts at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Small Church is located behind the Porvoo Cathedral.

Wander around the cobblestone streets in Old Porvoo, watch the old houses and feel the medieval spirit. Old Porvoo is a very unique town environment. Old Porvoo was found in the 14th century and it is Finalnd's second oldest town. At the moment the population in the Old Porvoo is nearly 700 people.

Even if it's winter, you can truly enjoy Old Porvoo walking through its hilly and winding streets. If you like architecture, arts and handicrafts, you will love Old Porvoo.

The black roofed and red ochre shore houses are nowadays used as private living quarters and storage spaces. The trade has been carried on for centuries under those shore houses. German merchants arrived with their ships to Old Porvoo and the ships loaded with butter, dried fish, timber, tar and flax. The ships unloaded fruits, wine and spices.

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Porvoo river is crossing over the city by the old town. Most of the culture life, entertainment and pubs are by the river or not far from it. In the summer, when the weather is good its almost feel like a small carnival by the river.

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Porvoo has a new, tiny Little Chocolate factory and shop in the old town. It is really tiny shop, next to the Cathedral and the Hotel Onni. I was there the opening day (well, there is a surprise to everyone! ;-) ) but the shop was so crowded and so I did not buy anything.

But if you are around the Cathedral area, pop in to the Chocolate Factory as they make all the chocolates themselves there.

Truffles, brownies, chocolate glazed cakes.

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When you go to Porvoo, you can't miss Old Town. Porvoo is so small and Old Town, well you guess it soon when you see the curch. Right on your left when coming from South.

There is a lot of things to do in Old Town: explore it's narrow streets and alley, admire old houses, shop in unique stores, eat candies at Brunberg, visith the old church...you just pick what you want. It is really worth of exploring around if you like to see old houses and marvellous architecture. And find cute small shops that sell something you have been looking for. Just use your brains, some of the products are overpriced there. And this occurs esepcially in cafe shops in Old Town. They are fine and very well decorated places, but if yo don't want to spend 3 euros for s cup of coffee, I suggest heading a cafe in new part of town. Something like Wayne's in Lundi shopping centre.

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Finland's oldest home museum, opened to the public in 1882, is situated in Porvoo. It is the home of the Finnish National Poet: Mr J.L Runeberg, who f ex composed the words of the Finnish national anthem.

For more info do check out the link, look for the "The Runeberg home"-button on the left.

OPEN
Ons-Sat 10-16, Sun 11-17,
CLOSED: Monday and Tuesdays

At summer 2.May-31.Aug
Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Entré
Adults 5 euros - Chinldren (age: 7-15) 2 euros.
With this ticket an entrance to the Walter Runebergs sculpture collection is permitted.