Their decorative architecture reflects their illustrious owners sophisticated tastes and tells of a time when life was a little slower even in Porvoo. Bakeries, shops, caf s and restaurants dominate the large squares among these venerable old buildings. A lso belonging to the past are the red warehouses lining the riverside, reminiscent of times when Porvoo was an important seaport where ships of the German Hansa fame would sail and link this Northern town to Central Europe. Today, most of these buildings have been refurbished for summer homes, artists ateliers and private auditoriums, strictly adhering to period furniture, styles and colors. F uture is seen in the eyes of the free-spirited artists and artisans who throng Porvoo.
Music is a natural part of daily life.
Art and crafts are in the making and for sale in small shops and boutiques. In fact, Porvoo is famous for its textiles, ceramics, jewelry and woodworking. Finland s national poet whose works still touch each Finnish heart, who effectuated Porvoo s free-thinking and welcoming ambiance, for he lived at a time of great national fervor and instilled a yearning for individuality and freedom in the hearts of the Finns with his poetry. Fredrika Runeberg also had a hand in shaping today s Porvoo s ambiance. Every bakeshop in town sells special pastry bearing the name of Runeberg Runebergin leivos, or Runeberg s Pastry a sort of a dry, crumbly petit four.