Borgå, in Swedish. Borg means a fortification, å means a river. Simple as that.
Porvoo is an old town in Finnish history: the earliest known written references to Porvoo date back to the early 14th century. Around 1380, Porvoo became the third town in Finland to receive official town rights, following Turku in 1229 and Ulvila in 1365.
Porvoo Cathedral is a cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland in Porvoo. It was built in the 15th century, although the oldest parts date from the 13th century.
Most of the buildings in Old Porvoo were built between 1760 and 1820.
The current population of Porvoo is around 52,000 but in Porvoo’s Old Town live only 600-700 inhabitants.
Wooden houses, adorned with vibrant colors, line the meandering cobblestone path. Atop the hill, the melodic chime of a medieval church resonates, while the air is infused with the sweet scents of chocolate and tar.
Welcome to Porvoo with me and a minivan. I invite you to join me on a day trip to the historic town of Porvoo, located just over an hour from Helsinki. Porvoo is among Finland’s most sought-after travel destinations, renowned for its historic wooden quarters, red clay-painted waterfront buildings, beautiful natural surroundings, and exquisite cuisine.
At the Helsinki end, consider enhancing your day with a guided city tour to complement your trip.
Welcome to Porvoo with me. Tours to Porvoo via email: helsinkiguide@karin.fi.