Pori

The town of Pori was founded in 1558 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa, as a strategic centre for trade and commerce. The town grew quickly in the following centuries, becoming an important regional centre for industry, culture, and education.

During the Finnish War of 1808–1809, Pori was occupied by Russian forces, and the town suffered significant damage during the conflict. However, in the following decades, Pori began to recover and rebuild, with new industries and businesses being established in the area.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pori experienced a period of rapid growth and modernization, as new transportation links and infrastructure were built. The construction of the Tampere–Pori railway line in the 1890s brought improved transportation and communication to the city, while the electrification of the area in the 1920s paved the way for new industries and businesses to be established.

After the war, the city continued to grow and modernize, with the establishment of several new industries, including manufacturing, shipping, and tourism.

The city has suffered heavily during the economic downturns, especially in the early 1990s, earning a reputation as a somewhat gritty place. Things are looking brighter again as of 2020, with lots of students coming to the city and the city centre being revamped.

Although the city is officially unilingual, there is a Swedish school and some cultural activities in Swedish thanks to the resulting community .

By Train

Pori is on E8 along the west coast and at the end of highways 2 from Helsinki and 11 from Tampere.

By plane

Central Pori is small enough to be relatively easily explored on foot or, in the summer, on a bicycle. Most of the attractions are within a short walking distance from each other. The few destinations further away, such as the Sigrid Jusélius Mausoleum (about 3 km from the city centre) and the Yyteri sand beaches (about 15 km away) can be reached by bus. Information about local buses can be found at

City Hall .

The riverfront in Pori has several prominent Neo-Renaissance quarters; especially the City Hall (with its park) by Carl-Ludvig Engel is worth a look.  

Pori Cathedral .

The Gothic-style Pori cathedral (that built instead of the castle that gave Pori its names: borg=castle) is also on alongside the river just a stone's throw away.  

Porin Teatteri .

The theatre building and its neighbouring house Hotel Otava, the world's first theatre house built for performances in Finnish.  

Reposaari .

This seaside fisher village outside the city is filled with picturesque wooden buildings. Especially recommended for summertime visits.  

Sigrid Jusélius Mausoleum

( in the main graveyard ).

The Sigrid Jusélius Mausoleum has paintings of the famous Finnish painter Axel Gallén-Kallela .

Free .  

Viikkari

( Itätulli )

( by the eastern border of the city centre ).

Viikkari, or the 5th district, consists solely of old wooden buildings. There's nothing to see in particular, but the area has a unique "bohemian" character and is best enjoyed by just walking around. It is a popular location to live in for local artists as well as underground musicians.

Festivals

Pori Jazz Festival : July.
Quite big names, like Santana, Simon & Garfunkel and Alicia Keys have played here, and John Legend was to play in 2022. The focus isn't on jazz any more, although jazz & blues can also be found. One of the biggest (if not the biggest) festivals in Finland. Favourite festival of the slightly older crowd. Eight days in mid-July.

Porispere : July–August.
A rock festival held on Kirjurinluoto, in late July or early August.   (date needs fixing)

Sports

Yyteri sand beach .

One of the largest and certainly one of the best beaches in Finland.  

Ice hockey .

In the winter, see an ice hockey game of Porin Ässät ("The Aces"). Although the team isn't as successful as it used to be, the redcoats are still an essential part of the city culture – especially the Saturday games boast an excellent atmosphere and draw in large crowds. You see the traditional Ace of Spades logo a lot around the city during the Finnish Professional Hockey League season, which begins in September and ends around March/April. Tickets (€10–25) are available at the Sokos department store in the centre, or at the Lippu.fi website  

Pori National Urban Park

There are

Cafes and bars in the town centre serve coffee, wine, and local beverages. Regional wines and spirits are worth sampling.

Hotels, guesthouses, and bed-and-breakfast establishments offer accommodation. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.

Puuvilla ,

Siltapuistokatu 14 ,

☏

+358 44 434 3892 ,

[email protected] .

Satakunta's largest shopping centre.   ( updated Jun 2021 )

Isokarhu ,

Yrjönkatu 15 .

Isokarhu mall is a large shopping mall in the heart of the city, alongside the pedestrian zone. In it are located franchises of the most common Finnish and international chains ranging from H&M to Intersport. What you can't find inside, is very probably sold in a store located right next to it (it's a small town after all). There are some nice cafés as well.  

Kauppahalli ,

Yrjönkatu 12 .

The old market hall is a nostalgic experience. The hall sells local products ranging from fish to vegetables. It opens early in the morning and stays open through the afternoon. Good place to take it easy for a while and have an old-fashioned cup of coffee with a sweet bread. But be warned: the retro has a downside in the average age of visitors being probably over 70 years. Old people have also a saying "when you come to Pori, we put you in a pärekori (chip basket) and get you around the tori (market square).  

BePop ,

Yrjönkatu 22 .

A shopping mall in the northern end of the pedestrian zone, also has se

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