UNESCO Sites of Rauma and Petäjävesi
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The city of Rauma is located in southwest part of Finland, on the Gulf of Botnia. It is around 240km from Helsinki. It is a place where time stopped. The unique architecture, a small stone church, narrow and peaceful streets make this city extremely interesting. There is the magical Old Town inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991. This place is so valuable because of its historic classic Finish wooden houses. This city is the third-oldest city and the fifth-oldest port city in Finland. It was established in 1442. The first buildings were the church of Holy Trinity and Franciscan Monastery. These shrines were the centre of Rauma. It is also a port city which the best time was during the time of the ruler Cristopher. The city was destroyed several times during wars.
The most important and interesting attractions of Rauma are Vahna Rauma – the biggest preserved historic example of an old Nordic city constructed in wood, located in Scandinavia, a Bronze age burial site Sammallahdenmäki lacated 20 km east from Rauma which was inscribed into UNESO list in 1999. Tourists can also visit Kylmäpihlaja island, Kuuskajaskari island with a fortress and Reksaari Island with beautiful nature. In Rauma, there are organised many cultural events such as Rauma Lace week.
Petäjävesi is a small village in central Finland, located on Jämsänvesi Lake. The main attraction is a wooden Lutheran church which is an outstanding example of architectural tradition in eastern Scandinavia. The church was built between 1676-1765. The structure is centrally planned due to the temples' Renaissance conception and features the Gothic architectural details. The church was built with traditional red wooden logs. In the Church there are paintings of Martin Luter and Moses. The Old Church in Petäjävesi was inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994.
