Travelog post for: Cpl.Flapjack Jr

This is Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland. Porvoo was granted town rights in 1380. Since then it has grown in all directions (and burnt badly a few in the middle). The Old Town is a popular tourist attraction with its gobbled streets and little shops.

The River Porvoo divides the town in two and 5 bridges cross it. You can see the old red shorehouses on the other side - and the new houses that were build to resemble the old ones on the other.

"Red shore houses on the riverbank are one of the most photographed scenery in Porvoo. Red ochre paint was used to paint the shore houses in the late 18th century in honour of King Gustav III's arrival. All of the houses along his route were painted, in order to make them look more beautiful. The red ochre also helped protect the logs from wind and sun damage. Exotic fruits, wines and spices were brought to Porvoo, and the shore houses also served as intermediate storehouses for coffee an tobacco. " www.porvoo.fi