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Introducing Pori
Pori (Swedish: Björneborg) would be a very unremarkable west coast town if it weren't for its internationally renowned Jazz Festival which sets the town ablaze for a week in July. Domestically it's one of the most important deep-water harbours in Finland, and is kept prosperous by numerous industries including brewing - you can smell the rich malty odours - and minting Finland's euro coins. Don't go robbing the factory though: they get stamped with the heads and tails elsewhere, after leaving town.
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In 1558, Duke Juhana, who was then ruler of Finland, decided to establish a trading town on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. As a result, Pori was founded at the mouth of the Kokemäenjoki. For a brief shining moment in 1726 a Professor Israel Nesselius championed Pori as the new capital of Finland - but it was not to be.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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