Pori Attractions
Post code: SF-28100
Telephone code: 2
The commercial and industrial town of Pori (Swedish Björneborg) lies for the most part on the south bank of the Kokemäenjoki some 20km/12.5mi above the mouth of the river, on the Gulf of Bothnia. The town was originally farther upstream, but was moved in 1365 and again in 1558, since the mouth of the river was reaching steadily farther west due to the rise in the level of the land.
The town was granted its municipal charter in 1558 by Duke John, son of the Swedish king Gustavus Vasa. The last of a series of fires, in 1852, made it necessary to replan the town, which was now laid out around two wide avenues intersecting at right angles.
Pori's economy is centered on its fishing harbor and two commercial harbors, with some industry (woodworking, metalworking).
A Neo Gothic mausoleum was built in 1903 in the Käppärä cemetery in central Pori, the original frescoes were restored from sketches by the artist. Pori is also known for the sandy beaches and the annual international jazz festival.
Telephone code: 2
The commercial and industrial town of Pori (Swedish Björneborg) lies for the most part on the south bank of the Kokemäenjoki some 20km/12.5mi above the mouth of the river, on the Gulf of Bothnia. The town was originally farther upstream, but was moved in 1365 and again in 1558, since the mouth of the river was reaching steadily farther west due to the rise in the level of the land.
The town was granted its municipal charter in 1558 by Duke John, son of the Swedish king Gustavus Vasa. The last of a series of fires, in 1852, made it necessary to replan the town, which was now laid out around two wide avenues intersecting at right angles.
Pori's economy is centered on its fishing harbor and two commercial harbors, with some industry (woodworking, metalworking).
A Neo Gothic mausoleum was built in 1903 in the Käppärä cemetery in central Pori, the original frescoes were restored from sketches by the artist. Pori is also known for the sandy beaches and the annual international jazz festival.
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Harjavalta - Emil Cedercreutz Museum, Finland
(Near Pori)
29km/18mi beyond the turn-off for Ulvila, Road 2 comes to Harjavalta. Here, in the house and studio of the Finnish sculptor Emil Cederkreutz, is displayed a collection of his works and of early 20th century Finnish art.
The surrounding area is well-known for the archeological and cultural history including graves from the Bronze Age in Hiittenharju. The River Kokemäenjoki runs through Harjavalta.
The original Temple of the Rural Spirit expanded its collection from 1916 to 1941.
The surrounding area is well-known for the archeological and cultural history including graves from the Bronze Age in Hiittenharju. The River Kokemäenjoki runs through Harjavalta.
The original Temple of the Rural Spirit expanded its collection from 1916 to 1941.
Hours
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 16:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 18:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 18:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Juselius Mausoleum
To the west of the center of Pori are the Old Cemetery and beyond this the New Cemetery, with the Juselius Mausoleum (by Josef Stenbäck, 1902), built by a local industrialist, F. A. Juselius, for his daughter, who died at the age of 11. The mausoleum was originally decorated with frescoes by the well-known painter of the Finnish "National Romantic" school, Akseli Gallén-Kallela, but when these deteriorated they were replaced by paintings executed by Gallén- Kallela's son Jorma, following his father's original designs.
Kirjurinluoto Park
On the north bank of the Kokemäenjoki, in the angle formed by its tributary the Luotsimäenhaara, lies Kirjurinluoto Park, with a summer theater. The Pori Jazz Festival is held in the park annually in July - part of the Finland Festival, a program of events (music, drama and opera), often lasting several days, which take place in various Finnish towns during the summer months.
Museum of Art
On the south bank of the river (Eteläranta) is the Pori Museum of Art (renovated by Kristian Gullichsen, 1977-81). In addition to its permanent collection (modern painting and sculpture; Maire Gullichsen Collection) the museum puts on special exhibitions of work by Finnish and foreign artists.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Pori Church
To the east of Pohjoispuisto, set in gardens, stands the neo-Gothic church of central Pori (by G. T. Chiewitz, 1863), with a 72m/246ft high tower. Altarpiece (the Resurrection) by R. W. Ekman; stained glass in choir by Magnus Enckell.
Pori Jazz
Pori Jazz festival is held in July.
The event attracts about 150,000 people and highlights a variety of music.
The event attracts about 150,000 people and highlights a variety of music.
Satakunta Museum
To the west of Pohjoispuisto, at Hallituskatu 11 in Pori, is the Satakunta District Museum (founded in 1888) with a large and varied collection (some 50,000 items), including material on the history of the town, objects from the surrounding area and period furniture of several centuries. The present building dates from the 1970s. Nearby are the Municipal Theater (1884; restored in 20th C.) and the Law Courts (by C. L. Engel, 1841).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Sports Hall
In Paanakedonkatu, which runs southeast from Pori church to the Tampere road, is an indoor swimming pool with a sports hall nearby.
The sports hall has two squash courts, weight lifting area, gym, boxing hall, a combined judo- and wrestling hall as well as track-and-field-facilities.
The sports hall has two squash courts, weight lifting area, gym, boxing hall, a combined judo- and wrestling hall as well as track-and-field-facilities.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | 19:00 | 18:00 |
Town Hall
The main features of interest in Pori lie at the north end of the north-south avenue, Pohjoispuisto, on the banks of the Kokemäenjoki. This part of the town has preserved its late 19th century aspect. On the east side of the avenue stands the Town Hall, in the style of a Venetian palazzo (by August Krook, 1895), originally built as the mansion of the Junnelius family.
Ulvila
7km/4.5mi from Pori on the Helsinki road (No. 2) a road diverges to the left to Ulvila, the site of Pori from 1365 to 1558, with a church of 1429.
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