Rauma / Raumo
The town of Rauma (Swedish: Raumo) lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea, in southwestern Finland. Founded in 1442, when all of Finland belonged to Sweden, Rauma is Finland’s third-oldest town after Turku and Porvoo. It was established to succeed a Franciscan monastery. The last major town fire occurred in 1682, and the town’s wooden houses have been spared from destruction ever since. In the 17th century, Rauma was an important seafaring town; in the 18th century, it gained an international reputation for lace-making.
Die Altstadt von Rauma - UNESCO-Welterbe
Photo: © visitfinland.com
Places of interest in Rauma
The exceptionally well-preserved town centre, with its characteristic 600 wooden houses spread over 28 hectares, is the best-preserved historic town centre in Northern Europe and is therefore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is still inhabited today and is by no means a museum. The museum is housed in the Old Town Hall, where visitors can learn about the history of seafaring and lace-making. Rauma is a town of festivals. The last week of July is dedicated to lace-making, while chamber music, blues and film festivals add to the varied cultural scene. A water tower with a panoramic restaurant is a major attraction for visitors. Not far from the town is a Bronze Age burial site, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Holidays in and around Rauma
The scenic coastal landscape around Rauma, with its offshore islands, offers ideal conditions for a relaxing, active family holiday on Finland’s Baltic coast. Hiking and Nordic walking on signposted trails, cycling, fishing, diving, boating and water scooters in summer, as well as cross-country skiing and ice skating in winter, are just some of the activities available to Baltic holidaymakers in and around Rauma. The many typical Finnish beach saunas are popular with visitors of all ages throughout the year. A wide range of accommodation is available for holidays in and around Rauma, from hotels and holiday apartments to cottages and campsites.
