The most popular and visited place in Porvoo is the Old Town and the beautiful cathedral located there (it is the third most popular church in Finland, according to the number of visitors). The layout of the Old Town has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. It is dominated by low wooden houses painted in bright colours, colourful courtyards, and narrow, curving cobbled streets.
Basically this part of the city was built up according to the designs of the famous architect K.L. Engel after the devastating fire of 1760. The low picturesque houses along the riverfront, painted in the traditional red-brown colour, became the symbol of the city.
A simple stroll through this neighbourhood is already a pleasant pastime. Cosy Christmas lights emphasise the beauty of Old Porvoo in December and January.
The cathedral has been rebuilt several times and only gained its status in 1723. The pediment of the church is richly decorated with stucco, and inside the church there is a memorial plaque telling that it was here that the historic Borgo Sejm with the participation of Russian Emperor Alexander I took place when Finland was proclaimed a Grand Duchy.
