Old Rauma
Rauma is an outstanding example of an old Nordic city constructed in wood, a veritable conservatory of traditional settlements in this part of Europe.
Consequently, this city is typical of the architecture and urbanism of old North-European cities and is one of the most beautiful and extensive of all those preserved thus far.
Visit August 2005
Rauma on Finland's west coast is well on the tourist track, but that still doesn't mean crowds in August. Like the other WHS we visited on this trip, the signposting was perfect, the parking free and the terrace food & drink plenty.
The major wooden buildings in Old Rauma are clustered around two main streets and the market place. Most are turned into shops or museums. Lace-making is a very big item here, not something I do get excited about. Roaming around the backstreets is pleasant though.
Four highlights certainly worth visiting:
- the exterior of the former City Hall, now Rauma Museum
- Marela, a well-to-do shipowner's home
- the old bank in Kauppakatu street
- Kirsti, a basic seafarer's house
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Joseph Colletti (USA):
Old Rauma is a delightful town of wooden houses from the 18th through 20th centuries (about 600) each of which has its own name written on the side in gothic letters. The helpful folks in the tourist office, a short walk from the bus station, have materials in many languages about the town and region including a self-guided walking tour of the tour that should take a leisurely 2 hours to do. (Highly recommended). I was there in April but I understand the town can get very crowded with bus tours in the summer months. There are several homes that have been converted into musueums (the Merla House is the most interesting)and many shops (lace is their speciality) and restaurants in all price ranges. It's a lovely place to just wander around the narrow cobblestoned streets and enjoy the scenery. It's a 4 hour bus ride from Helsinki (two or three direct buses Monday through Saturday) or an hour and a half from Turku, which has more frequent bus service. |
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