Porvoo

Porvoo is the political and economical capital city of Tavast-Carelia, located on the nation's southern coast, in the province of Uusimaa.

Overview

The actual date when Porvoo was founded is unknown; a small trade settlement has probably existed in the area since the Tavast tribes first arrived in the area. It was officially made into a city in 1482 by regent Sten Sture the Elder of Riga. The name of the city is derived from the Rigan word "borg å", castle river, which in the local tongue turned into "Porvoo". In 1579 it was made into the capital city of the grand duchies of Tavastland and Carelia by order of Grand Duke Juhana I (during Rigan rule the capital had been Raumo). In 1668 Juhana III Kasimir relocated the capital to Viborg, but Aurora I moved it back to Porvoo in 1676.

During the following centuries the city grew to surpass all other cities in the nation, although it does not have as much importance economically as the large cities on the east coast, Ulvila, Raumo, Waasa and Pihvinpori.