I live in Porvoo and I also love Porvoo. The Old Town of Porvoo is unique. The mosaic-like town plan with its maze of streets and irregulary shaped plots dates back to the Middle Ages. Since then the town suffered many fires, but always the stubborn citizens rebuilt their houses on the same foundations. Red riverside warehouses welcome the traveller to Old Porvoo, as they have done for the past 300 years. Red ochre paint was used to paint the warehouses in the late 18th century in honour of King Gustav III's arrival. All of the houses along his route were painted, in order to make them look more beautiful. The red ochre also helped protect the logs from wind and sun damage.The warehouses were originally used to store trade goods and they remain an eminent Porvoo symbol that is recognised from school books. People want to see the view over and over again and capture it in photos.
On top of the hill, in the heart of Old Porvoo, you can see the Porvoo Cathedral. Its eventful history dates back to the turn of the 14th century. One of the most important events was the Diet of Porvoo, during which the Cathedral served as one of the central venues, in 1809, that launched the period of Finnish autonomy. Over the centuries, this beautiful church has burnt down five times.
Nowadays, Old Porvoo in its present form attracts visitors from all over the world, and it is no wonder – it is truly unique. Even though the neighbourhood lives very much in the present, there are many things that stay the same, most importantly, the atmosphere! Porvoo's centre opens up to a national urban park, in which beautiful views and natural attractions are available for everyone by foot, bike or paddling on a SUP board. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing, ice-fishing or downhill skiing.
The purpose of national urban parks is to preserve urban nature and built cultural environments so that they form a comprehensive, integrated whole. The national urban park in Porvoo was established in 2010 and it extends approximately 10 km south from Old Porvoo, via the river estuary to the archipelago, as well as 8 km east.
On top of the hill, in the heart of Old Porvoo, you can see the Porvoo Cathedral. Its eventful history dates back to the turn of the 14th century. One of the most important events was the Diet of Porvoo, during which the Cathedral served as one of the central venues, in 1809, that launched the period of Finnish autonomy. Over the centuries, this beautiful church has burnt down five times.
Nowadays, Old Porvoo in its present form attracts visitors from all over the world, and it is no wonder – it is truly unique. Even though the neighbourhood lives very much in the present, there are many things that stay the same, most importantly, the atmosphere! Porvoo's centre opens up to a national urban park, in which beautiful views and natural attractions are available for everyone by foot, bike or paddling on a SUP board. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing, ice-fishing or downhill skiing.
The purpose of national urban parks is to preserve urban nature and built cultural environments so that they form a comprehensive, integrated whole. The national urban park in Porvoo was established in 2010 and it extends approximately 10 km south from Old Porvoo, via the river estuary to the archipelago, as well as 8 km east.
Porvoo is full of life in the summertime. Totally different from the situation in winter time. I have filmed this time lapse vide with free hand by using iPhone 4 and "Miniatures"-app. Then this movie was editet with the phone by using "iMovie"-app.
Here is a high speeded driving around the old city center of Porvoo. The song in the background is made by iSequence for iPad. Driving in Porvoo is easy if you just obey regular driving ruleas as Finns mainly do. And there are not so many cars in the traffic. You might get into a small traffic jam, but that is artificial and mainly because of the traffic lights that are adjusted so, that the limit the driving speeds in the city center.
Finding a free parking slot might be a bit more difficult. Short-term parking is supervised by the Porvoo City Parking Control. The Parking Control handles parking tickets and fines as well as customer service and appeals. The Porvoo City Parking Control also grants company and work parking permits, as well as parking permits for residents. Parking is also monitored by the Eastern Uusimaa regional police.
Finding a free parking slot might be a bit more difficult. Short-term parking is supervised by the Porvoo City Parking Control. The Parking Control handles parking tickets and fines as well as customer service and appeals. The Porvoo City Parking Control also grants company and work parking permits, as well as parking permits for residents. Parking is also monitored by the Eastern Uusimaa regional police.
This is how Porvoo looks like in winter. This video was taken during the first snow fall in 2016. I used GoPro Hero 3+ and 3DR Solo Quadcopter. There are lots of things to do in Porvoo also in the winter time. For instance Porvoo has 32 km of lighted ski trails, for example Kokonniemi 5 km, Humla 7 km, Joonaanmäki 3 km and Haikkoo 2 km. Kokonniemi ski centre has five slopes, all of them illuminated. The greatest height difference is 55 m and the longest slope 400 m. There is also a halfpipe/street, a children's slope, five skilifts, ski rental, a skiing school and a restaurant as well as a ski track for cross-country skiing.