Pori Favorites

Favorite thing: Walk around the centre admiring old buildings and the old wooden houses.

I took this photo when Pori Jazz festival was on and there are a lot of stalls on the riverbak. The tower you see in the pic, belongs to the Old Courthouse designed by architect C.L. Engel, and was completed in 1841. The building nowadays houses Pori Regional Development Centre, Pori City Tourist Office as well as a charming restaurant called the Old Courthouse Cellar Restaurant.

Address: Hallituskatu 9A, located in the centre of Pori.

Favorite thing: The 39th Pori Jazz Festival will be on 17th - 25th July 2004.

That's when Pori wakes up and tourists rush in :) And suddenly after Jazz Festival closes, all Pori residents seem to take off to their summer cottages and the whole place feels so empty once again, haha!

The festival program emphasizes jazz, but this summer offers also rhythm & blues, soul, hip-hop and jazz fusion. The big open-air concerts (22-25 July) are held in the beautiful Kirjurinluoto concert park on the Kokemäki riverside. The celebrations centre on the scenic banks of the Kokemäki river, with its parklands, Jazzstreet and evening venues which vary between intimate clubs and large factory-type concert halls. Welcome :)

Pori Jazz office, Pohjoisranta 11 D, 28100 Pori, Finland
Tel. +358-2-6262 200, fax +358-2-6262 225, ticket sales +358-2-6262 215 http://www.porijazz.fi
e-mail: festival@porijazz.fi

Favorite thing: With its' 12379 inhabitants Ulvila is a decent sized town only 9 km southeast from Pori. Ulvila's roots go further in history as Pori's, since it was founded in 14th century (Pori on 16th cent.).

Ulvila's most valuable historical sight is the medieval church built in 1332 and still in use. It's really beautiful so in case you're nearby, do drop by :)

Favorite thing: Pori has few nice churches and also few art museum that worth a visit. In the summer it has also the great quality of relaxing place where you can dine & drink outside in one of many bars & restaurants.
Of course, the premium time of Pori is during the jazz festival stated annually in the end of July.

Fondest memory: Pori Jazz of 2000.

Favorite thing: REPOSAARI CHURCH -- NORWEGIAN-STYLE FJELD CHURCH

Its construction was financed by the contributions of a moneyraising campaign initiated by a group of Norwegian seamen. The church was completed in 1876. In summertime the church is open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.

Favorite thing: THE MARITIME FISHERMEN'S VILLAGE OF PORI

Reposaari is located at the outlet of the River Kokemäenjoki 32 km from centre, by the same road as Yyteri Sands. It lies by the ancient sea route leading from the Baltic Sea to the trading centres of the west coast area of Ostrobothnia. The island is about three kilometres long and a half kilometre wide.

At first the island was used by fishermen and summer pasture for livestock. As early as the 17th century the people of Pori began to use the natural harbour of the island as a port loading for the biggest ships. Reposaari was a major port long afterwards, until the construction of a port and a railway in the neighbouring village of Mäntyluoto (now a part of Pori as well) gave the fatal blow to Reposaari as a port of exportation.

To holidaymakers Reposaari has to offer magnificient maritime scenery and places of interest. The island´s wooden houses of individual character and the beatiful park close to harbour add a picturesque touch to the island´s enchanting athmosphere. Traditions are respected in Reposaari - an example of this is the one-hour siesta at noon: all shops close and people disappear from the streets :)

Pictured sea as seen from Reposaari.

Favorite thing: Walk around the Kokemäenjoki River bank. Kokemäenjoki river runs through Pori's centre and offers scenic views especially in summertime. Located in the river is Kirjurinluoto island, a lovely park connected to centre with a not-too-long bridge (not for motor vehicles). There is a lot of ponds with swans and other birds, also peacocks. There's a summer theatre, a small beach right in the centre (!), not to forget arena for Jazz Festival and other concerts.

In the picture behind me on the left Pori's centre and in the right begins Kirjurinluoto island.

Favorite thing: VISIT old LEINEPERI ironworks at Kullaa (1700 inh.), 20 km from Pori. Leineperi ironworks was built in 1771 on Kullaa riverbank. It has been well restored and the area now houses several little businesses.
Pictured blast furnace and dam. (Masuuni ja pato)