Pietarsaari / Jakobstad
The town of Pietarsaari was founded in 1652, when Finland was part of Sweden, under the name Jakobstad. Even today, the town often uses its Swedish name in international contexts. Swedish is still very much present throughout the town. The Finnish name also derives from the Swedish name of the parish: Pedersöre. Jakobstad / Pietarsaari lies directly on the Gulf of Bothnia, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea, and more specifically on its northernmost stretch, the Bay of Bothnia. A vast archipelago stretches north of Pietarsaari / Jakobstad, making the town an attractive holiday destination on Finland’s Baltic coast.
Schären bei Pietarsaari / Jakobstad in Finnland
Photo: © Helifoto
Places to see in Pietarsaari / Jakobstad
The town itself is pleasant to live in and appealing to visitors and holidaymakers, thanks to its abundance of greenery. Skolpark (School Park), in the heart of town, contains more than 1,000 plant species. The Rosenlund vicarage, Aspegren’s Garden and the local history museum housed in a cowshed form a single attraction. The former tobacco warehouse, Malm House, houses a collection on the town’s history. Pietarsaari / Jakobstad’s Old Harbour is close to the town centre. It is not only a modern harbour, but also a leisure centre with beaches, the FantaSea Park water park, jogging trails and cross-country ski trails. Nanoq (Greenlandic for “polar bear”), Finland’s first Arctic museum, recalls original sites in northern Greenland and also features an extensive collection of everyday objects used by Canadian Inuit. The entire old town, known as Skata, is considered one of Finland’s best-preserved town centres. Its wooden houses offer an authentic picture of the town as it was when founded.
Holidays in and around Pietarsaari / Jakobstad
The Seven Bridges Archipelago north of Jakobstad / Pietarsaari, stretching as far as Kokkola, won a quality award from the Finnish tourism authority in 2013. The varied landscape in and around Pietarsaari / Jakobstad makes it possible to enjoy a wide range of family-friendly outdoor activities on Finland’s Baltic coast. Go fishing, canoeing, hiking or swimming in summer, or cross-country skiing across snow-covered ice in winter. Experiencing nature is a uniquely rewarding way to unwind. Hotels, holiday homes and campsites offer plenty of accommodation for visitors.
