South of Pori on Road 8 is Rauma (pop. 38,500), a town with distinctive traditions of its own. Many of the inhabitants speak a special dialect which is not understood in the rest of Finland. The town was founded in the 13th century and received its municipal charter from King Kristoffer in 1442. Around 1550 Rauma was temporarily depopulated when its inhabitants were ordered to move to the newly founded town of Helsinki, but after a few years they were allowed to return. In the 17th century Rauma developed into a busy seafaring town, and its seamen learned in foreign countries the art of making pillow lace which is still practiced in the town.
Every year in July there is a Lace Week in Rauma.
The layout of the old town with its wooden houses (included in the UNESCO list of world heritage monuments) dates from the 16th century, though the present buildings are mainly 18th and 19th century. In this area are the church of the Holy Cross (with 16th century wall paintings), which originally belonged to a 15th century Franciscan friary, and the ruined Trinity Church (14th century).
The old Town Hall (by C. H. R. Schröder, 1776) now houses the Municipal Museum. A 19th century burgher's house, Marela, is also a museum. There are many specialized shops in the old town.
To the south of the old town are an indoor swimming pool and a watertower. By the tower can be seen a sculpture by Aila Salo, "Through Difficulties to Victory" (1976). To the northwest, beyond the railroad, is the Otanlahti recreation area, with sports facilities, a swimming pool, baths and saunas. Here too are the Poroholma camping site and the landing-stage used by the motorboats which in summer run regular cruises among the offshore islands.
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