Old Raahe

Old Raahe is one of the best preserved wooden towns of the 19th century Finland. The northern part of the grid plan area, which has been decided to be still preserved as an urban area for one-family houses, gives historical depth to today’s steel town.

The preservation of the old town of Raahe was decided in 1977. The area consists of 150 old houses and about 200 outbuildings. After the preservation decision, about a hundred main buildings have been renovated in the area. 30 new buildings and enlargements have been made fitting in with the environment.

The new town plan makes it possible to maintain services in the old town. An attempt is being made to preserve most of the buildings by means of renovation and enlargement measures. Replacing the old by constructing new is permitted in some cases. Complementary new construction will be allocated to several plots. What is important in all the building activity, both in renovating and in constructing new, is to respect the old and adjust the new to the milieu as its natural part.

Old Raahe is not an open air museum, but a living part of the town. It tells about the history of construction and living in the town from across the centuries up to present.