View source for Porvoo

{{short description|City in Uusimaa, Finland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Porvoo
| official_name      = {{lang|fi|Porvoon kaupunki}}<br />{{lang|sv|Borgå stad}}
| native_name        = {{lang|fi|Porvoo}} – {{lang|sv|Borgå}}
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = File:Porvoo in January.jpg
| image_caption      = A view of buildings in the Porvoo Old Town, including the [[Porvoo Cathedral]]
| image_shield       = Porvoo.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size        = 120x80px
| image_map          = Porvoo sijainti Suomi.svg
| coordinates        = {{coord|60|23|40|N|25|39|50|E|format=dms|region:FI_type:city(9326)|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-marker = town
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Finland}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Uusimaa]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Porvoo sub-region|Porvoo]]
| leader_title       = [[City manager]]
| leader_name        = Jani Pitkäniemi
| established_title  = [[City rights]]
| established_date   = 1347<ref name="ulvila"/> or {{Circa|1380}}<ref name="Valkeapää"/>
| area_footnotes     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Porvoo}}
| area_total_km2     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Porvoo}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Porvoo}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Porvoo}}
| area_rank          = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Porvoo}}
| population_as_of   = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Porvoo}}
| population_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Porvoo}}
| population_total   = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Porvoo}}
| population_density_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Porvoo}}
| population_rank    = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Porvoo}}
| demographics_type1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_footnotes|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Porvoo}} (official)
| demographics1_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_title4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Porvoo}}
| demographics1_info4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Porvoo}}
| demographics_type2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Porvoo}}
| demographics2_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Porvoo}}
| blank_name         = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Porvoo}}
| blank_info         = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Porvoo}}
| blank3_name        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank3_info        = [[Humid continental climate#Mild/cool summer subtype|Dfb]]
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +02:00
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +03:00
| website            = {{Url|https://www.porvoo.fi/en/}}
}}

'''Porvoo''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈporʋoː}}; {{langx|sv|Borgå}} {{IPA|sv|ˈborːɡo||Borgå.ogg}}; {{langx|la|Borgoa}}) is a [[city]] in [[Finland]].  It is located on the south coast of the country, on the [[Gulf of Finland]]. Porvoo lies in the eastern part of the [[Uusimaa]] region. The population of Porvoo is approximately {{formatnum:{{#expr:{{Data Finland municipality/population count|Porvoo}}round -3}}}}, while the [[Porvoo sub-region|sub-region]] has a population of approximately {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Porvoo}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Askola}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Myrskylä}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Pukkila}}round -3}}}}. It is the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Porvoo}}}} most populous [[Municipalities of Finland|municipality]] in Finland, and the 15th most populous [[List of urban areas in Finland by population|urban area]] in the country.

Porvoo is located on the southern coast of Finland, approximately {{convert|35|km}} east of the city border of [[Helsinki]] and about {{convert|50|km|-1}} from the city centre. Porvoo was one of the six [[Middle Ages|medieval]] towns of Finland, along with [[Turku]], [[Ulvila]], [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]], [[Naantali]] and [[Vyborg]], and is first mentioned as a city in texts from the 14th century. Porvoo is the seat of the Swedish-speaking [[Diocese of Borgå]] of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]]. Porvoo briefly served as the capital of the former [[Eastern Uusimaa]] region.<ref>[https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/75271/McLean_Minna.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwiCmYiO7p_vAhXypIsKHZDpAu84ChAWMAB6BAgFEAI&usg=AOvVaw1n_1XcHfNOM2DrP8dgqxLg Co-operation between Audio Visual and Travel Industries in Eastern Uusimaa]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Porvoo is a [[bilingual]] municipality with [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] as its official languages. The population consists of {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|0}}}} Finnish speakers, {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|0}}}} Swedish speakers, and {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language other|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|0}}}} speakers of other languages. The municipalities neighbouring Porvoo are [[Askola]], [[Loviisa]], [[Myrskylä]], [[Pornainen]], and [[Sipoo]]; and the [[Porvoo sub-region|sub-region]] maintained by Porvoo includes Askola, Myrskylä and [[Pukkila]].

Porvoo Old Town ({{langx|fi|Porvoon vanhakaupunki}}; {{langx|sv|Borgå gamla stan}}) is a popular tourist destination,<ref name="finnoytravel">{{Cite web |url=https://finnoytravel.com/en/experiences/porvoo-old-town/ |title=Old Porvoo - An Amazing Summertown Just One Hour from Helsinki |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227145857/https://finnoytravel.com/en/experiences/porvoo-old-town/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> known for its well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings, and the 15th-century [[Porvoo Cathedral]]. The Old Town and the [[Porvoonjoki]] River Valley are recognized as, together, one of the [[National landscapes of Finland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://travelmelodies.com/porvoo-finland/|title=Porvoo - The Little Fairy tale Town in Finland|date=24 November 2019|website=Travel Melodies|access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> In December 2025, {{ill|Radio Nostalgia|fi}} voters chose Porvoo as the "most beautiful [[Christmas]] town in Finland".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uusimaa.fi/paikalliset/9092793|title=Porvoo äänestettiin Suomen kauneimmaksi joulukaupungiksi|first=Inka|last=Töyrylä|work=[[Uusimaa (newspaper)|Uusimaa]]|date=20 December 2025|access-date=22 December 2025|language=fi|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The [[List of towns in Finland|town]] received its name from a Swedish [[Medieval fortification|medieval fortress]] near the river [[Porvoonjoki]], which flows through the town. The name ''Porvoo'' is the Fennicised version of the Swedish name ''{{lang|sv|Borgå}}'', which is derived from {{Lang|sv|borg}}, meaning "[[castle]]" and {{Lang|sv|å}}, "[[river]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.katajala.net/keskiaika/suomi/kaupungit.html|title=Keskiaika - Suomen kaupungit keskiajalla|website=Katajala.net|access-date=24 December 2017}}</ref>

==Heraldry==
The coat of arms of Porvoo, based on the medieval seal of the city, is "Azure [blue], a tulip-shaped letter C argent [silver]." The main object in the arms has been interpreted as either a fire iron or the letter C, referring to the Latin word for "castle" ({{langx|la|castrum}}). A version of the arms redrawn by [[Gustaf von Numers]] was approved for official use by the Porvoo City Council on March 23, 1960, and the [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of the Interior]] confirmed the use of the coat of arms on June 1 the same year.<ref>{{cite book | title = Suomen kunnallisvaakunat | publisher = Suomen Kunnallisliitto | year = 1982 | page = 120 | isbn = 951-773-085-3 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Sisäasiainministeriön vahvistamat kaupunkien, kauppaloiden ja kuntien vaakunat I:12 Porvoo | url = http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=1540677 | work = Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto | language = fi }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Porvoo Old Town Hall.jpg|thumb|left|The old [[Porvoo Town Hall]], which is now a museum]]
The area of Porvoo has been inhabited since the [[Stone Age]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Suomalainen tietosanakirja, osa 6|last=Pertti Vihtaranta|display-authors=etal|publisher=Weilin+Göös ja Almagest Oy|year=1992|isbn=951-35-4644-6}}</ref> In prehistoric times, the river [[Porvoonjoki]] was a route of commerce for Finnish tribal [[Tavastians]] who primarily inhabited the inland regions. The Tavastians also had some permanent settlements in the area, such as the village of Hattula (later Strömsberg), which was named after an inland Tavastian village. The original name of the river Porvoonjoki was possibly ''Kukinjoki''. The name derives from the name of the trade vessel [[Cog (ship)|cog]] which was a common merchant ship in the Baltic Sea in medieval times. The early center of the area was ''Saksala'', meaning "the place of the [[Germans]]", and deriving from the merchants who were trading in Saksala.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Hämeen Härkätie|last=Masonen|first=Jaakko|publisher=Tiemuseon julkaisuja 4. Valtion painatuskeskus. Helsinki|year=1989}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Ruotsin itämaa|last=Tarkiainen|first=Kari|publisher=Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland|year=2010|location=Helsinki|pages=132–134}}</ref>

Porvoo was colonised by [[Swedes]] in the 13th and 14th centuries after the so-called [[Second Swedish Crusade|Second Crusade]] against Tavastians in 1249–1250. The colonisation was led by the Catholic Church and the kingdom of Sweden. The colonists originated from [[Svealand]], and were provided with seeds, cattle and, tax exemption for four years.<ref name=":0" />

The oldest known written mentions of Porvoo are from the early 14th century. In circa 1380, Porvoo became the third town in Finland to be granted official [[town rights]], after [[Turku]] in 1229 and [[Ulvila]] in 1365.<ref name="Valkeapää">Leena Valkeapää: ''Käyttökelpoinen keskiaika: Historiakulttuuria nykypäivän Ulvilassa ja Raumalla. Alue ja ympäristö''. 2006, volume 35, no. 2, p. 79–91.</ref> However, it is also claimed to have been founded as early as 1347, which would make it the second oldest after Turku.<ref name="ulvila">[https://www.ulvila.fi/asiointi-ja-yhteystiedot/ulvila/historia/ Ulvilan historiaa lyhyesti] (in Finnish)</ref> Due to land rise and loss of shipping access, Ulvila lost town rights to nearby [[Pori]] in 1558.<ref name="Valkeapää" />

When [[Sweden]] lost the city of [[Vyborg]] to Russia in 1721, the [[episcopal see]] was moved to Porvoo in 1723.<ref>Mia Korpiola: Legal Literacy in Premodern European Societies. Palgrave Macmillan, 2019. {{ISBN|978-3-319-96863-6}}.</ref><ref name="diocese"/> At this time, Porvoo was the second largest city in Finland.

In 1760, roughly two-thirds of all buildings in Porvoo burned to the ground in a [[conflagration]]. During rebuilding, the city planning wasn't altered, instead new buildings were built upon the existing medieval foundations.

[[Image:Borgå - Johan Knutson - Finland framställdt i teckningar - 48.jpg|thumb|Illustration of ''Borgå'' in [[Finland framstäldt i teckningar]] edited by [[Zacharias Topelius]] and published 1845-1852.]]

After the conquest of Finland by Russian armies in 1808, Sweden had to cede Finland to Russia in 1809 (the [[Treaty of Fredrikshamn]]). The [[Diet of Porvoo]] in 1809 was a landmark in the [[History of Finland]] as tsar [[Alexander I of Russia|Alexander I]] made Finland an autonomous [[Grand Duchy of Finland|Grand Duchy]]. In 1923, six years after [[Independence of Finland|Finland's independence]], the former [[Diocese of Vyborg]], which operated in Porvoo, was replaced by a current Swedish-speaking diocese of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]], the [[Diocese of Porvoo]].<ref name="diocese">[http://hiski.genealogia.fi/seurakunnat/srk?CMD=SRK&ID=823&TYPE=HTML&LANG=EN Borgå svenska domkyrkoförsamling - The Genealogical Society of Finland]</ref>

The ''Porvoo Common Statement'' is a report issued at the conclusion of theological conversations by official representatives of four Anglican churches and eight Nordic and Baltic Lutheran churches in 1989–1992. It established the [[Porvoo Communion]], so named after the [[Porvoo Cathedral]] where the [[Eucharist]] was celebrated on the final Sunday of the conversations leading to the Statement.

The old city of Porvoo was formally disestablished and the new city of Porvoo founded in 1997, when the city of Porvoo and the [[Porvoon maalaiskunta|rural municipality of Porvoo]] were consolidated.<ref name="porvoo20071119">{{Cite web |url= http://matkailu.porvoo.fi/fi/yleista_porvoosta |title= Yleistä Porvoosta |access-date= 7 January 2009 |last= Jaakkola |first= Marianne |date= 2007-11-19 |publisher= City of Porvoo |location= Porvoo |language= fi |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090201151343/http://matkailu.porvoo.fi/fi/yleista_porvoosta |archive-date= 1 February 2009}}</ref>

==Urban development==
===Old Town===
[[File:Porvoon Tuomiokirkko.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Porvoo Cathedral]] prior to the fire in May 2006]]
[[File:Barns_on_the_shore_of_the_river.jpg|thumb|Old wooden [[warehouse]]s alongside the Porvoo River is one of the famous sights of town.<ref>[https://www.tickettoadventures.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/picturesque-medieval-old-town-of-porvoo/amp/ Picturesque Medieval Old Town of Porvoo]</ref><ref>[https://travelpassionate.com/an-helsinki-to-porvoo-day-trip/ An Helsinki to Porvoo Day trip]</ref>]]
The town is famed for its "Old Town" (''{{lang|fi|Vanhakaupunki}}'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''{{lang|sv|Gamla Stan}}'' in [[Finland-Swedish|Swedish]]), a dense medieval street pattern with predominantly wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Old Town came close to being demolished in the 19th century by a new urban plan for the city, but the plan was canceled due to a popular resistance headed by Count [[Louis Sparre]]. With the need for growth, a plan was envisioned for a new town built adjacent to the Old Town, following a grid plan, but with houses also built of wood. [[Jokikatu]] (located eastside of the Porvoonjoki River) is one of Porvoo's [[pedestrian street]]s, and like the other similar streets of the Old Town, it also includes a variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[coffeehouse]]s, [[antique shop]]s and other stores.<ref>[https://finland.fi/life-society/picture-perfect-porvoo/ Picture-perfect Porvoo - thisisFINLAND]</ref>

The central point of the old town is the medieval, stone and brick [[Porvoo Cathedral]]. The cathedral gave its name to the [[Porvoo Communion]], an inter-church agreement between a number of [[Anglican]] and [[Lutheran]] [[religious denomination|denomination]]s. The cathedral is reminiscent of similarly aged churches across Finland, such as the [[Church of St. Lawrence, Vantaa]], as they were designed by the same person, the anonymous German architect ''Pernajan mestari''. The [[Diocese of Borgå]] that unites the Swedish speaking lutheran congregations, resides here. The cathedral has burned down 5 times.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Branden i Borgå domkyrka|url=https://svenska.yle.fi/a/7-883628|access-date=2021-06-12|website=svenska.yle.fi|date=6 December 2006 |language=sv}}</ref> The latest fire happened on 29 May 2006; the roof was totally destroyed but the interior is largely intact. A drunken youth had started a fire at the church, unaware of recent tar work and nearby tar containers, accidentally causing a large [[conflagration]]. He was later sentenced to a short prison term and restitutions of 4.3 million euro.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirkkojakaupunki.fi/uutiset/rikos-ja-rangaistus |title=Rikos ja rangaistus |access-date=2011-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315113713/http://www.kirkkojakaupunki.fi/uutiset/rikos-ja-rangaistus |archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref>

The Old Town is a significant source of tourism in the area. Visitors to the capital [[Helsinki]] can embark on day trips to visit the older city. The Old Town also hosts various events, such as an annual Christmas market.

===Later developments===
[[File:View from Näsi glacial erratic 2.jpg|thumb|A modern city view of Porvoo]]
[[File:Porvoo new housing.jpg|thumb|New housing designed to match older storage buildings across the river]]
By the end of the 20th century, there was pressure to develop the essentially untouched western side of the river. There was concern that growth would necessitate the construction of a second bridge across the river into the town, thus putting further strain on the aging wooden town. An architectural competition was held in 1990, the winning entry of which proposed building the second bridge. Plans for the western side of the river have progressed under the direction of architect [[Tuomas Siitonen]], and both a vehicle bridge and a pedestrian bridge have been built. The design for new housing is based on a typology derived from the old storehouses on the opposite side of the river. Yet another new development entails the construction of a large business park called King's Gate ({{langx|fi|Kuninkaanportti}}, {{langx|sv|Kungsporten}}), which is under construction.

The Porvoo railway station does not have a regular train service, but special museum trains from [[Kerava]] (either with steam locomotives or former [[VR Group|VR]] diesel railcars from the 1950s) operate on summer weekends.<ref name="porvoo20091014">{{Cite web |url= http://www.helsinkiww.net/pmr/eng/time2009.html |title= Kerava-Porvoo Museum Train Timetable Summer 2009 |access-date= 14 October 2009 |publisher= Porvoo Museum Railway Society |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090801214233/http://helsinkiww.net/pmr/eng/time2009.html |archive-date= 1 August 2009 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The new [[hotel]] called Runo Hotel was opened in the old town of Porvoo on May 31, 2021.<ref>[https://runohotel.com/ Runo Hotel] (in Finnish)</ref><ref>[https://www.uusimaa.fi/paikalliset/4166522 Uusimaa: Runo-hotelli vietti avajaisia Porvoossa – "Valtava kulttuuriteko"] (in Finnish)</ref>

===Subdivisions===
====Districts====
Hornhattula, Joonaanmäki (Jonasbacken), Jernböle, Kaupunginhaka (Stadshagen), Keskusta (Centrum), Etelä-Kevätkumpu (Södra Vårberga), Pohjois-Kevätkumpu (Norra Vårberga), Myllymäki (Kvarnbacken), Näsi (Näse), Pappilanmäki (Prästgårdsbacken), Skaftkärr, Suistola, Vanha Porvoo (Gamla Borgå).

====Suburbs====
Hamari (Hammars), Aunela (Ånäs), Eestinmäki (Estbacka), Gammelbacka, Huhtinen (Huktis), Katajamäki (Ensbacka), Kevätkumpu (Vårberga), Kokonniemi (Uddas), Kuninkaanportti (Kungsporten), Pappilanpelto (Prästgårdsåkern), Peippola (Pepot), Tarkkinen (Tarkis), [[Tarmola]] (Östermalm).

===Villages===
[[File:Jackarby Manor, Borgå, Finland.jpg|thumb|Jackarby Manor in the Jakari village]]

====Suomenkylä====
Suomenkylä ({{langx|sv|Finnby}}) is a village north of the centre of Porvoo and beside the Porvoo river. Suomenkylä has an old school founded by [[Johannes Linnankoski]] in 1898. The village of Suomenkylä also has two burial places from the [[Bronze Age]].

====Kerkkoo====
Kerkkoo ({{langx|sv|Kerko}}) is a village north of the centre of Porvoo and beside the Porvoo river. It has an active school that is over 100 years old. In the village of Kerkkoo, archeologists and townspeople found a stone axe from the [[Bronze Age]].

====Other====
Ali-Vekkoski (Söderveckoski), Anttila (Andersböle), Baggböle, Bengtsby (Pentinkylä), Bjurböle, Boe (Häihä), Bosgård, Brattnäs, Eerola (Eriksdal), Eestinmäki (Estbacka), Emäsalo (Emsalö), Epoo (Ebbo), Fagersta, Gammelbacka, Grännäs, Gäddrag, Haikkoo (Haiko), Henttala, Hinthaara (Hindhår), Hommanäs, Huhtinen, Hummelsund, Ilola (Illby), Jakari (Jackarby), Järnböle, Kaarenkylä (Karsby), Kalax (Kaalahti), Kallola, Kardrag, Karleby (Kaarlenkylä), Kiiala (Kiala), Kilpilahti (Sköldvik), Klemetti (Klemetsby), Kortisbacka, Kreppelby, Kroksnäs, Kråkö, Kulloo (Kullo), Kurböle, Kuris, Londböle, Mickelsböle, Munkkala (Munkby), Mustijoki (Svartså), Myllykylä (Molnby), Norike, Nygård, Onas, Orrby (Orrenkylä), Pappilanmäki (Prästgårdsbacken), Peippola (Pepot), [[Pellinki]] (Pellinge), Piirlahti (Pirlax), Ramsholmen, Renum, Saksala (Saxby), Sannainen (Sannäs), Seitlahti (Seitlax), Sikilä (Siggböle), Skavarböle, Sondby, Stensböle, Sundö (Suni), Svartbäck, Tamminiemi (Eknäs), Tarkkinen (Tarkis), Teissala (Teisala), Tolkkinen (Tolkis), Tirmo (Tirmoo), Treksilä (Drägsby), Tuorila (Torasbacka), Tyysteri (Tjusterby), Vaarlahti (Varlax), Vanhamoisio (Gammelgård), Veckjärvi (Vekjärvi), Virtaala (Strömsberg), Virvik, Voolahti (Vålax), Västermunkby, [[Ylike]], Yli-Vekkoski (Norrveckoski), Åby, Åminsby.

== Climate ==
{{Weather box
| location = Porvoo Harabacka (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1959-2005 in Jernböle, 10/2006-present in Harabacka)
| source = FMI normals 1991-2020<ref name = "FMI">{{cite web
|url = https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/d7ce3a4f-bf47-4453-be76-2a0de738c59a
|title = FMI normals 1991-2020
|publisher = FMI
|access-date = 9 July 2025}}</ref>
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan mean C = -4.4
| Feb mean C = -5.0
| Mar mean C = -1.6
| Apr mean C = 4.2
| May mean C = 10.5
| Jun mean C = 15.1
| Jul mean C = 18.1
| Aug mean C = 16.4
| Sep mean C = 11.4
| Oct mean C = 5.7
| Nov mean C = 1.4
| Dec mean C = -1.9
| single line = Y
| metric first = Y
| Jan low C = -7.5
| Feb low C = -8.2
| Mar low C = -5.2
| Apr low C = -0.4
| May low C = 4.5
| Jun low C = 9.6
| Jul low C = 12.7
| Aug low C = 11.3
| Sep low C = 7.1
| Oct low C = 2.5
| Nov low C = -1.2
| Dec low C = -4.7
| Jan high C = -1.9
| Feb high C = -1.8
| Mar high C = 2.5
| Apr high C = 9.1
| May high C = 15.9
| Jun high C = 20.0
| Jul high C = 22.9
| Aug high C = 21.2
| Sep high C = 15.7
| Oct high C = 8.7
| Nov high C = 3.5
| Dec high C = 0.3
| Jan record low C = -38.0
| Feb record low C = -38.0
| Mar record low C = -33.0
| Apr record low C = -22.0
| May record low C = -7.3
| Jun record low C = -2.0
| Jul record low C = 1.8
| Aug record low C = -3.0
| Sep record low C = -7.6
| Oct record low C = -16.5
| Nov record low C = -25.5
| Dec record low C = -34.9
| Jan record high C = 8.1
| Feb record high C = 9.8
| Mar record high C = 16.1
| Apr record high C = 24.0
| May record high C = 29.5
| Jun record high C = 32.0
| Jul record high C = 33.1
| Aug record high C = 31.7
| Sep record high C = 27.7
| Oct record high C = 18.8
| Nov record high C = 14.1
| Dec record high C = 10.4
| source 2 = Record highs and lows 1959- present<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
| url = https://kilotavu.com/fmi-tilastot.php?taulukkomoodi=true
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 10 July 2025}}</ref>
| Jan precipitation mm = 55
| Feb precipitation mm = 43
| Mar precipitation mm = 35
| Apr precipitation mm = 35
| May precipitation mm = 40
| Jun precipitation mm = 70
| Aug precipitation mm = 75
| Jul precipitation mm = 65
| Sep precipitation mm = 63
| Oct precipitation mm = 70
| Nov precipitation mm = 75
| Dec precipitation mm = 61
| precipitation color = green
| Jan precipitation days = 12
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Feb precipitation days = 10
| Mar precipitation days = 8
| Apr precipitation days = 7
| May precipitation days = 7
| Jun precipitation days = 9
| Jul precipitation days = 8
| Aug precipitation days = 10
| Sep precipitation days = 9
| Oct precipitation days = 11
| Nov precipitation days = 12
| Dec precipitation days = 12
| year precipitation mm = 685
| Jan avg record high C = 4.3
| Feb avg record high C = 4.6
| Dec avg record high C = 5.4
| Mar avg record high C = 9.4
| Apr avg record high C = 17.9
| May avg record high C = 24.7
| Jun avg record high C = 26.8
| Jul avg record high C = 28.5
| Aug avg record high C = 27.0
| Sep avg record high C = 21.6
| Oct avg record high C = 14.8
| Nov avg record high C = 9.3
| year avg record high C = 29.6
| Jan avg record low C = -21.4
| Feb avg record low C = -21.3
| Dec avg record low C = -16.7
| Mar avg record low C = -16.2
| Apr avg record low C = -7.4
| May avg record low C = -2.6
| Jun avg record low C = 2.9
| Jul avg record low C = 7.2
| Aug avg record low C = 4.9
| Sep avg record low C = -0.5
| Oct avg record low C = -6.4
| Nov avg record low C = -10.6
| year avg record low C = -25.3
}}

==Demographics==

===Population===
{{Historical populations
| title= Historical population
| percentages = pagr
|state = collapsed
 |1815|2223
 |1850|2950
 |1870|3478
 |1890|4214
 |1910|5466
 |1920|6244
 |1930|6821
 |1939|7149
 |1972|34445
 |1980|38296
 |1990|41930	
 |2000|44969
 |2010|48768
 |2020|50619
 |footnote=Source: Tilastollinen päätoimisto,<ref name="stv1940">{{Cite web  | url=https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/69230/stv_1940.pdf | title=Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja 1940 | date=1941 | publisher=Tilastollinen päätoimisto | access-date=5 January 2025 | language=fi }}</ref> [[Statistics Finland]] (1972-2020)<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons">{{Cite web | url=https://stat.fi/en/publication/cl8lprraorrr20dut5a0tywm5 | title=Number of foreign-language speakers grew by nearly 38,000 persons | date=31 May 2023 | publisher=Statistics Finland | access-date=12 September 2023 | language=en }}</ref>
}}
The city of Porvoo has {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Porvoo }}}} inhabitants, making it the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Porvoo}}}} most populous municipality in Finland.  The [[Porvoo sub-region|Porvoo region]] has a population of {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Porvoo}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Askola}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Myrskylä}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Pukkila}}}}}}.

{{Bar chart
| title        = Population size 1990–2025<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2025"/>
| label_type   = Year
| data_type    = Population
| bar_width    = 32
| width_units  = em
| label3       = 1990
| label4       = 1995
| label5       = 2000
| label6       = 2005
| label7       = 2010
| label8       = 2015
| label9       = 2020
| label10      = 2025
| data_max     = 55000
| data3        = 41930
| data4        = 43315
| data5        = 44969
| data6        = 46982
| data7        = 48768
| data8        = 49928
| data9        = 50619
| data10       = 51863
}}

=== Languages ===

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|direction = row
|caption = Population by<br/>mother tongue (2025)<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2025"/>
|label1 = Finnish
|value1 = 63.1
|color1 = #002F6C
|label2 = Swedish
|value2 = 27.2
|color2 = #FFCD00
|label3 = Russian
|value3 = 1.3
|color3 = #D52B1E
|label4 = Estonian
|value4 = 1.2
|color4 = #4189DD
|label5 = Ukrainian
|value5 = 0.9
|color5 = #0057B7
|label6 = Arabic
|value6 = 0.8
|color6 = #165D31
|label7 = Albanian
|value7 = 0.8
|color7 = #E41E20
|label8 = Other
|value8 = 4.7
|color8 = #C5C5C5
}}
The city of Porvoo is officially [[bilingual]], with both [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] as official languages. The majority of the population, {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Porvoo}}}} persons ({{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|1}}), spoke Finnish as their first language. The number of [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Swedish speakers]] was {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Porvoo }}}} persons ({{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|1}}) of the population. Foreign languages were spoken by {{Formatnum: {{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language other|Porvoo}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Porvoo}}|1}}}} of the population.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2025"/> As [[English language|English]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] - or Finnish for Swedish speakers - are compulsory school subjects, functional bilingualism or trilingualism acquired through language studies is not uncommon.

At least 50 different languages are spoken in Porvoo. The most common foreign languages are [[Russian language|Russian]] (1.3%), [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (1.2%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (0.9%) and [[Arabic]] (0.8%).<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2025"/>

=== Immigration ===

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right;" 
|colspan="3"|'''Population by country of birth (2025)'''<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2025">{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cmg6f46k91y0e07w0qtdt6yl7 |title= Population growth slowed down in 2025 |date= 2026-04-01 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |issn= 1797-5395  |access-date=2026-04-01 }}</ref>
|-\
! Country of birth !! Population !! %
|-
| {{flag|Finland}} || 46,847 || 90.3
|-
| {{flag|Soviet Union}} || 659 || 1.3
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}} || 474 || 0.9
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || 355 || 0.7
|-
| {{flag|Ukraine}} || 269 || 0.5
|-
| {{flag|Vietnam}} || 221 || 0.4
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}} || 185 || 0.4
|-
| {{flag|Russia}} || 166 || 0.3
|-
| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} || 150 || 0.3
|-
| {{flag|China}} || 149 || 0.3
|-
| Other || 1,926 || 3.7
|}

{{As of|2024}}, there were 4,972 persons with a foreign background living in Porvoo, or 9% of the population.{{refn|Statistics Finland classifies a person as having a "foreign background" if both parents or the only known parent were born abroad.<ref name="statistics-finland-persons-with-foreign-background">{{cite web |access-date=18 September 2023 |title=Persons with foreign background |publisher=Statistics Finland |url=https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105084300/https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>|group=note}} The number of residents who were born abroad was 4,840, or 9% of the population. The number of persons with foreign citizenship living in Porvoo was 3,299. Most foreign-born citizens came from the former [[Soviet Union]], [[Estonia]], [[Sweden]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Ukraine]].<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final">{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cm1jg8tr20lco07vwvoif9s6i |title= Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded 600,000 during 2024  |date= 2025-04-04 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |issn= 1797-5395  |access-date=2025-04-12 }}</ref>

The relative share of immigrants in Porvoo's population is slightly below the national average. Moreover, the city's new residents are increasingly of foreign origin. This will increase the proportion of foreign residents in the coming years.

=== Religion ===

In 2023, the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Evangelical Lutheran Church]] was the largest religious group with 64.8% of the population of Porvoo. Other religious groups accounted for 2.2% of the population. 33.0% of the population had no religious affiliation.<ref>[https://pxdata.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px Key figures on population by region, 1990-2023] Statistics Finland</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Neste Oil Porvoo refinery.jpg|thumb|[[Neste Oil]] Porvoo refinery]]
In 2011, there were 20,312 jobs in Porvoo, distributed as follows: primary production 1.6 per cent, processing 32.5 per cent and services 64.7 per cent. In December 2012, the unemployment rate in Porvoo was 8.4 per cent, compared to an average of 10.7 per cent in the rest of the country. At that time, there were 3,389 business locations in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.porvoo.fi/fi/porvoo-tietoa/kaupunki_lukuina | title = Kaupunki lukuina | publisher = City of Porvoo | date = October 8, 2015 | access-date = March 8, 2021 | language = fi | archive-date = 26 August 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150826065316/http://www.porvoo.fi/fi/porvoo-tietoa/kaupunki_lukuina | url-status = dead }}</ref> According to [[Statistics Finland]], more companies were established in Porvoo in 2009–2013 than closed down, and the number of companies has increased by about 140 each year.<ref name="Porvoo_eko"/> According to the Eastern Uusimaa Viability Survey, in 2013 there were a few large companies and a few medium-sized companies in the Porvoo region, but the majority (86 per cent) were companies with less than five employees.<ref name="Porvoo_eko"/>

In 2014, the largest employers in Porvoo were [[Neste]] (2,000 jobs in Porvoo), [[Borealis AG|Borealis Polymers]] (962), [[Ensto]] (430), [[Viessman Refrigeration Systems]] (414), [[Varuboden-Osla]] (300) and [[Bilfinger Industrial Services Finland]] (299).<ref name="Porvoo_eko">{{cite web | url = http://www.porvoo.fi/easydata/customers/porvoo2/files/muut_liitetiedostot/yrittaminen_ja_elinkeinot/elinkeino-ohjelma/elinkeino-_ja_kilpailukykyohjelma_hyvaksytty.pdf | title = Porvoon kaupungin elinkeino- ja kilpailukykyohjelma 2014-2017 | date = 2014 | publisher = City of Porvoo | access-date = March 8, 2021 | language = fi | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231408/http://www.porvoo.fi/easydata/customers/porvoo2/files/muut_liitetiedostot/yrittaminen_ja_elinkeinot/elinkeino-ohjelma/elinkeino-_ja_kilpailukykyohjelma_hyvaksytty.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The Satakuntaliitto's Satamittari measures the competitiveness of Finnish regions annually. In 2012, the [[Porvoo sub-region|Porvoo region]] ranked number one. In 2013, there were 70 sub-regions involved, which were assessed using six factors: [[labor productivity]], [[employment rate]], [[innovation]], level of [[education]], [[business dynamics]] and industrial dominance. The Porvoo region ranked fourth after [[Vaasa]], Helsinki and [[Tampere]]. The region's labor productivity and industrial intensity were the highest in Finland, but the employment rate and level of education were also at the highest level.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.satamittari.fi/suomen-seutukuntien-kilpailukyky-2013 | title = Suomen seutukuntien kilpailukyky 2013 | work = Satamittari | publisher = Satakuntaliitto | date = June 25, 2015 | access-date = March 8, 2021 | language = fi | archive-date = 16 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210416200833/http://www.satamittari.fi/suomen-seutukuntien-kilpailukyky-2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Porvoon keskuskenttä 21082021.jpg|right|thumb|250px|{{ill|Porvoo Central Field|fi|Porvoon keskuskenttä}}, the home field of [[Porvoo Butchers]]]]
The local team [[Borgå Akilles]] plays the sport of [[bandy]], in the highest division, [[Bandyliiga]], and has become Finnish champions twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bandyliiga.fi/team/porvoon-akilles/|title=Porvoon Akilles|publisher=[[Bandyliiga]]|access-date=14 July 2025|language=fi}}</ref> The American football team [[Porvoo Butchers]] has been operating in Porvoo since 1986, and it is one of the most successful teams in [[Vaahteraliiga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vaahteraliiga.fi/butchers/|title=Porvoon Butchers|publisher=[[Vaahteraliiga]]|access-date=14 July 2025|language=fi}}</ref>

[[Sami Hyypiä]], a former football player for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and the Finnish national team, originated from Porvoo.

Lauri Happonen, better known as [[Cyanide (video game player)|Cyanide]], a retired [[League of Legends]] professional player, is from Porvoo.

== Culture ==
=== Food ===
A well-known Porvoo delicacy, a [[Runeberg torte]], was developed by a local pastry master, and it is said that [[Johan Ludvig Runeberg|J. L. Runeberg]] ate them for breakfast. [[Fredrika Runeberg]], the wife of the [[national poet]] also made tortes for her husband using the substances that happened to be found in the cupboards: [[wheat]] and [[bread]]crumbs, [[biscuit]] crumbs, [[almond]]s, [[apple jam]] and sugar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitporvoo.fi/runebergs-cakes |title=Runeberg's cakes – Visit Porvoo |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325100434/https://www.visitporvoo.fi/runebergs-cakes |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In addition to Runeberg torte, the second parish dish in Porvoo was grilled herring with onion rings and [[dill]] in the 1980s. [[Pellinki]]'s [[fish soup]] and [[nettle soup]] were chosen as the main dishes of the Porvoo countryside.<ref>Kolmonen, Jaakko 1988. ''Kotomaamme ruoka-aitta: Suomen, Karjalan ja Petsamon pitäjäruoat'', s. 61–62. Helsinki: Patakolmonen Ky. (in Finnish)</ref>

Porvoo is also known for its local [[confectionery]] and [[ice cream]] factories, the most notable being the Brunberg Chocolate Factory<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitporvoo.fi/brunberg-chocolate-factory |title=Brunberg Chocolate Factory – Visit Porvoo |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029175246/https://www.visitporvoo.fi/brunberg-chocolate-factory |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory ({{Lang|fi|Vanhan Porvoon Jäätelötehdas}}).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitporvoo.fi/vanhan-porvoon-jaatelotehdas-old-porvoo-ice-cream-factory |title=Vanhan Porvoon Jäätelötehdas - Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory – Visit Porvoo |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122041720/https://www.visitporvoo.fi/vanhan-porvoon-jaatelotehdas-old-porvoo-ice-cream-factory |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Literature ===
J. L. Runeberg, today known as the "[[national poet]] of Finland", lived in Porvoo from 1837 until his death. His home has served as a museum since 1882.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.porvoo.fi/en/runebergs-home/|title=Runeberg's Home|publisher=City of Porvoo|access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref>

{{ill|Borgå Gymnasium|fi|Borgå gymnasium}} in Porvoo is home to Finland's oldest [[public library]] from 1728.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.porvoo.fi/sv/nyheter/borga-gymnasiums-300-arsjubileum-firas-med-festligheter-och-popular-utstallning/|title=Borgå Gymnasiums 300-årsjubileum firas med festligheter och populär utställning|publisher=City of Porvoo|date=8 November 2023|access-date=3 January 2024|language=sv|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620023345/https://www.porvoo.fi/sv/nyheter/borga-gymnasiums-300-arsjubileum-firas-med-festligheter-och-popular-utstallning/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The oldest works in the library, which consists of rare works, are from the 15th century, and the collection includes, among other things, [[Mikael Agricola]]'s original ''[[Se Wsi Testamenti]]'' from 1548. Today it functions as a museum library and is not open to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lansivayla.fi/paikalliset/6451031|title=Kuin Harry Potterista! Tällainen on Suomen vanhin julkinen kirjasto – vastaaviin aarrekammioihin ei Euroopassa pääse edes sisään|last=Itävuori|first=Marita|work=[[Länsiväylä (newspaper)|Länsiväylä]]|date=1 January 2024|access-date=3 January 2024|language=fi}}</ref>

[[Tove Jansson]] is said to have used the [[Söderskär Lighthouse]], located on a small islet in the outer Porvoo archipelago, as a model when writing the lighthouse island of the book ''[[Moominpappa at Sea]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://helsinkithisweek.com/story/experience-silence-and-sea-nature-soderskar-lighthouse |title=Söderskär Lighthouse – Helsinki This Week |access-date=2020-12-31 |archive-date=2021-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126040936/https://helsinkithisweek.com/story/experience-silence-and-sea-nature-soderskar-lighthouse |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2017/06/28/unika-illustrationer-av-tove-jansson-utstallda-i-soderskars-fyr Svenska YLE: Unika illustrationer av Tove Jansson utställda i Söderskärs fyr] (in Swedish)</ref><ref>[https://www.lily.fi/blogit/maaginen-realismi/tove-janssonin-jaljilla-soderskarin-majakalla/ Tove Janssonin jäljillä Söderskarin majakalla] (in Finnish)</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Pellinki ferry.jpg|thumb|A ferry connection from Porvoo to the [[Pellinki Island]]]]
Porvoo is on the route of the [[European route E18|E18 road]] from [[Helsinki]] to [[Saint Petersburg]], and the [[Porvoo Highway]] (part of the Finnish national road 7) along that route is one of the most important transport connections to Helsinki. Other important road connections are the Finnish Regional road 170 going via [[Sipoo]] to Helsinki, which continues from the [[East Helsinki]] area to the capital under the name [[Itäväylä]], and the [[Finnish national road 55|main road 55]] leading northwest, via [[Monninkylä]] of [[Askola]], to the [[Mäntsälä]] municipality.

It is currently the [[List of Finnish municipalities without scheduled railway services|largest Finnish municipality]] without scheduled railway services, since passenger rail services to Porvoo ended in 1981 and freight services in 1990, however proposals exist to link Porvoo to the rail network as part of a new rail line from [[Helsinki Central railway station|Helsinki]] to [[Kouvola railway station|Kouvola]] via a [[Lentorata|tunnel]] between [[Pasila railway station|Pasila]] and [[Helsinki Airport station|Helsinki Airport]], the [[Itärata]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railjournal.com/regions/europe/helsinki-kouvola-direct-link-not-economically-viable/|title=Helsinki – Kouvola direct link "not economically viable"|website=International Rail Journal|date=5 April 2019}}</ref> There is no airport at all in Porvoo, but another airport in the [[Helsinki metropolitan area]] is planned for the Backas area, which would serve the traffic of [[Air cargo|cargo]] and small airlines.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.uusimaa.fi/artikkeli/98660-lentokenttakysymys-palaa-takaisin-lahtoruutuun | title= Lentokenttäkysymys palaa takaisin lähtöruutuun | last= Hämäläinen | first= Jyrki | date= March 14, 2012 | publisher= Uusimaa | access-date= March 8, 2021 | language= fi | archive-date= 4 March 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195106/http://www.uusimaa.fi/artikkeli/98660-lentokenttakysymys-palaa-takaisin-lahtoruutuun | url-status= dead }}</ref>

Finland's biggest port by total cargo tonnage is the [[Port of Kilpilahti]] (Sköldvik) located on the outskirts of Porvoo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Traficom International Maritime Statistics 2019 |url=https://www.traficom.fi/sites/default/files/media/file/Ulkomaan_Meriliikenteen_2018_vuosijulkaisu.pdf |website=Traficom.fi |publisher=Finnish Transport and Communications Agency |access-date=1 October 2020 |language=fi}}</ref> In Porvoo River, on the eastern bank of the river right in the city center, there is a guest [[marina]]. In the village of Hamari, there is also an opportunity for visiting boats to anchor in the [[Breakwater (structure)|breakwater]].<ref>[http://porvooinfo.fi/veneily/porvoo/ Porvoon vierassatama] (in Finnish)</ref> Also, the [[ferry]] connection favored by tourism runs between Helsinki and Porvoo on the [[MS J. L. Runeberg|MS ''J. L. Runeberg'']] ferry.<ref>[https://www.msjlruneberg.fi/cruises/helsinki-porvoo/ Helsinki–Porvoo cruise - MS ''J. L. Runeberg'']</ref>

==Politics==
{{Update section|date=October 2024}}

Results of the [[2023 Finnish parliamentary election]] in Porvoo:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Porvoo, results by candidate nominator|url=https://tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi/EKV-2023/en/kutulos_638.html|website=tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi|access-date=2026-01-30}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:right;"
|-
! style="text-align:left;" valign=bottom rowspan=2 colspan=3|Party !! colspan="2" |Party 
|-
! align=center valign=bottom width="50"|Votes !! align=center valign=bottom width="50"|% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Swedish People's Party of Finland}} || align=left|[[Swedish People's Party of Finland]] || align=left|SFP || 7036 || 24.7% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party of Finland}} || align="left" style="white-space: nowrap;" |[[Social Democratic Party of Finland]] || align="left" |SDP || 5605 || 19.7% 
|-
| {{party color cell|National Coalition Party}} || align="left" |[[National Coalition Party]] || align="left" |Kok || 5202 || 18.3% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Finns Party}} || align="left" |[[Finns Party]] || align="left" |PS || 4142 || 14.5% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Green League}} || align="left" |[[Green League]] || align="left" |Vihr || 1496 || 5.2% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Left Alliance (Finland)}} || align="left" |[[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]] || align="left" |Vas || 1369 || 4.8% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Movement Now}} || align="left" |[[Movement Now]] || align="left" |Liik || 1221 || 4.3% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Centre Party (Finland)}} || align="left" |[[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]] || align="left" |Kesk || 1054 || 3.7% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Christian Democrats (Finland)}} || align=left|[[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]] || align=left|KD || 709 || 2.5% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Freedom Alliance (Finland)}} || align=left|[[Freedom Alliance (Finland)|Freedom Alliance]] || align=left|VL || 226 || 0.8% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Liberal Party – Freedom to Choose}} || align="left" |[[Liberal Party – Freedom to Choose]] || align="left" |Lib || 125 || 0.4% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Animal Justice Party of Finland}} || align="left" |[[Animal Justice Party of Finland]] || align="left" |EOP || 63 || 0.2% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Crystal Party}} || align="left" |[[Crystal Party]] || align="left" |KRIP || 57 || 0.2% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Power Belongs to the People}} || align="left" |[[Power Belongs to the People]] || align="left" |VKK || 55 || 0.2% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Blue-and-Black Movement}} || align=left|[[Blue-and-Black Movement]] || align=left|SML || 54 || 0.2% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Pirate Party (Finland)}} || align="left" |[[Pirate Party (Finland)|Pirate Party]] || align="left" |Pir || 24 || 0.1% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Feminist Party (Finland)}} || align="left" |[[Feminist Party (Finland)|Feminist Party]] || align="left" |FP || 22 || 0.1% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Communist Party of Finland (1994)}} || align="left" |[[Communist Party of Finland (1994)|Communist Party of Finland]] || align="left" |SKP || 17 || 0.1% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Finnish Reform Movement}} || align="left" |[[Finnish Reform Movement]] || align="left" |KL || 11 || 0.0% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent politician}} || align=left|Birgitta Johansson ([[Independent politician|Independent]]) || align=left| || 6 || 0.0% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent politician}} || align=left|Tomi Mäkinen ([[Independent politician|Independent]]) || align=left| || 4 || 0.0% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Kansalaisliitto}} || align="left" |[[Kansalaisliitto]] || align="left" |KAL || 3 || 0.0% 
|-
| {{party color cell|Finnish People First}} || align="left" |[[Finnish People First]] || align="left" |SKE || 2 || 0.0% 
|-style="font-weight:bold"
| align=left colspan=3|Valid votes || 28503 || 100.00% 
|-
| align=left colspan=3|Rejected votes || 85 || 0.3% 
|-
| align=left colspan=3|Total polled || 28588 || 100.0% 
|}

Results of the [[2015 Finnish parliamentary election]] in Porvoo:

*[[Swedish People's Party]]: 27.3%
*[[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]]: 16%
*[[National Coalition Party]]: 15.4%
*[[True Finns]]: 14.6%
*[[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]]: 10.9%
*[[Green League]]: 7.9%
*[[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]]: 4.2%
*[[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]]: 1.8%


Distribution of the city council seats following the [[2012 Finnish municipal elections]]:

*[[Swedish People's Party]]: 16
*[[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]]: 12
*[[National Coalition Party]]: 9
*[[True Finns]]: 6
*[[Green League]]: 4
*[[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]]: 2
*[[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]]: 1
*[[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]]: 1

==Notable people==
[[File:Albert Edelfelt - Porvoonjoessa Uivia Poikia.jpg|thumb|150px|''Boys Swimming in the Porvoo River'' by [[Albert Edelfelt]], 1886]]
[[File:Johan Ludwig Runeberg bw.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Johan Ludwig Runeberg]], 1893]]

*[[Remu Aaltonen]] (born 1948), a Finnish drummer and singer.
*[[Carl Johan Adlercreutz]] (1757–1815), a Swedish (Finnish) general and statesman
*[[Johan Bäckman]] (born 1971), a Finnish political activist and legal sociologist
*[[Hjalmar Dahl]] (1891–1960), a Finnish-Swedish journalist, translator and author.
*[[Albert Edelfelt]] (1854–1905), a Finland-Swedish painter with a his naturalistic, [[Realism (arts)|Realist]] approach.
*[[Siri von Essen]] (1850–1912), a Swedish-speaking Finnish noblewoman and actress.
*[[Alva Forsius]] (1866–1935), social worker and midwife; established the town's first maternity home
* [[Tua Forsström]] (born 1947), a Finland-Swedish writer who writes in Swedish. 
*[[Cyanide (gamer)|Lauri Happonen]] (born 1993), stage name ''[[Cyanide (gamer)|Cyanide]]'', former ''[[League of Legends]]'' world champion.
*[[Klaus Härö]] (born 1971), a Finnish film director.
*[[Saara Hopea]] (1925–1984), a Finnish designer of glassware and jewellery.
*[[Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia]] (1917–1992), head of the Romanov Dynasty
*[[Gun Lanciai]] (1920–2013), a Swedish-Finnish sculptor.
*[[Olof Palme (historian)|Olof Palme]] (1884–1918), a Finnish-born Swedish historian and uncle of [[Olof Palme]], PM of Sweden 
*[[Hanna Poulsen]] (born 1984), [[Miss Finland]] 2005
* [[Helga Sonck-Majewski]] (1916–2015), Finnish artist<ref>{{cite web |title=Helga Sonck-Majewski |url=https://www.porvoonmuseo.fi/en/kokoelma/helga-sonck-majewski-2/ |website=[[Porvoo Museum]] |access-date=7 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124002633/https://www.porvoonmuseo.fi/en/kokoelma/helga-sonck-majewski-2/ |archive-date=24 January 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Johan Ludvig Runeberg]] (1804–1877), a Finnish priest, lyric and epic, national poet.
*[[Walter Runeberg]] (1838–1920) a Finnish neo-classical sculptor, son of poet [[Johan Ludvig Runeberg]]
*[[Solveig von Schoultz]] (1907–1996), a Swedish-speaking Finnish writer and teacher. 
*[[Olli Soinio]] (1948–2018), film director and screenwriter
*[[Georg Magnus Sprengtporten]] (1740–1819), a Finland-Swedish politician.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Sprengtporten, Göran Magnus, Count | volume= 25 |last= Bain |first= Robert Nisbet |author-link= Robert Nisbet Bain| pages = 737&ndash;738 |short= 1}}</ref>
*[[Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten]] (1727–1786) a Swedish-Finnish army officer and politician, and half-brother of [[Georg Magnus Sprengtporten]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Sprengtporten, Jakob Magnus | volume= 25 |last= Bain |first= Robert Nisbet |author-link= Robert Nisbet Bain| page = 738 |short= 1}}</ref>
*[[Torsten Stålhandske]] (1593–1644), Swedish officer in the Swedish army during the [[Thirty Years' War]].
*[[Beda Stjernschantz]] (1867—1910), one of the first Finnish [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolist]] painters
*[[Seppo Telenius]] (born 1954), writer and historian
*[[Onni Tommila]] (born 1999), actor
*[[Oppi Untracht]] (1922–2008), an American master [[metalsmith]], educator, and writer
*[[Ville Vallgren]] (1855–1940), a Finnish sculptor.
*[[Osmo Antero Wiio]] (1928–2013), professor, politician, author of [[Wiio's laws]] of communication
*[[Arvid Wittenberg]] (1606–1657), Swedish count, field marshal and [[Privy Council of Sweden|privy councillor]]. 
*[[Margaretha Zetterberg]] (1733–1803), a Finnish textile and handcrafts worker.
=== Sport ===
[[File:Sami Hyypia 2012.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Sami Hyypia]], 2012]]
*[[Carl Aejemelaeus]] (1882–1935), a Finnish colonel, modern pentathlete and fencer.
*[[Torvald Appelroth]] (1902–1984), fencer, competed at the [[1928 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Kjell Carlström]] (born 1976), a Finnish former road racing cyclist,
*[[Sami Hyypiä]] (born 1973), former footballer with 589 club caps and captain of [[Finland national football team|Finland]] with 103 caps
*[[Sami Laakkonen]] (born 1974), [[bandy]] player; scored when [[Finland national bandy team|Finland]] first won the World Championship.
*[[Simo Lampinen]] (born 1943), a Finnish former rally driver, a former ''[[Flying Finn]]''
*[[Lauri Lehtinen]] (1908–1973), a Finnish long-distance runner, gold medallist at the controversial 5000 m race at the [[1932 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Adolf Lindfors]] (1879–1959), Finnish [[wrestling|wrestler]], gold medallist at the [[1920 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Arthur Lindfors]] (1893–1977), a Finnish wrestler, twice silver medallist in the Greco-Roman wrestling at the [[1920 Summer Olympics|1920]] & [[1924 Summer Olympics]]

==In media==
In the 1967 British-American [[espionage film]] ''[[Billion Dollar Brain]]'', a small part of the plot takes place in [[Riga]], the capital of [[Latvia]], which is actually filmed in Porvoo.<ref>{{cite book|title=World Film Locations: Helsinki|author=Kääpä, Pietari|year=2012|publisher=Intellect|isbn=978-1841507224}}</ref> Also the 1997 American film ''[[The Jackal (1997 film)|The Jackal]]'' features scenes depicting [[Russia]], which are partly shot in Porvoo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6254_Post_Office_action_scene_The_Jackal|title=Post Office action scene - "The Jackal" - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref><ref>[https://elokuvapolku.kavi.fi/fi/elokuvapolku/ylapolku/suomi-venajana-elokuvissa Suomi Venäjänä elokuvissa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706054455/https://elokuvapolku.kavi.fi/fi/elokuvapolku/ylapolku/suomi-venajana-elokuvissa |date=6 July 2020 }} (in Finnish)</ref>

In the 2021 [[Disney+]] series ''[[Loki (TV series)|Loki]]'', Porvoo is listed as a location to which a time reset device was sent.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://thedirect.com/article/loki-guardians-of-the-galaxy-captain-marvel-mcu-ego-asgard-locations | title = Loki References Locations From Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel & More Movies In New Episode | website=The Direct | date = June 16, 2021 | access-date = June 29, 2021}}</ref>
==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland}}

===Twin towns – sister cities===
Porvoo is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the following cities:<ref name=porvootwincities>{{cite web|title=The sister cities of Porvoo|url=http://www.porvoo.fi/fi/yleistietoa/ystavyyskuntatoiminta|publisher=Porvoo City|access-date=5 March 2011|language=fi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531145940/http://www.porvoo.fi/fi/yleistietoa/ystavyyskuntatoiminta|archive-date=31 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Dalvíkurbyggð]], Iceland
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Dinkelsbühl]], Germany
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Hamar Municipality|Hamar]], Norway
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hancock, Michigan]], United States
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Gmina Kamień Pomorski|Kamień Pomorski]], Poland
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Lund Municipality|Lund]], Sweden
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Viborg Municipality|Viborg]], Denmark
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Viimsi Parish|Viimsi]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Viljandi]], Estonia
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* ''[[Borgåbladet]]''
* [[Diet of Porvoo]]
* [[Pellinki Island]]
* [[Porvoo Communion]]
* [[Porvoo Highway]]
* [[Port of Kilpilahti]]
* [[Söderskär Lighthouse]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{SLS Q|Q113529976}}
*{{Cite book |last=Hiekkanen |first=Markus |title=Borgå (fi. Porvoo) |series=Rapport / Museiverket. Medeltidsstaden, 99-0348204-3 ; 1 |year=1981 |location=Helsinki |isbn=951-9074-61-9}}
*{{SLS Q|Q113529844}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|d=yes}}
* [https://www.porvoo.fi/en/ Porvoo – Borgå] – official city website
* [https://www.visitporvoo.fi/en/ Visit Porvoo – The official Porvoo Region visitor website]
* [https://new.visitfinland.com/en/articles/porvoo-fiskars-idyllic-towns/ Porvoo & Fiskars: idyllic & creative towns near Helsinki] – Visit Finland
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070315072106/http://www.srv.fi/reference_property_dev?id=1751433 King's Gate Business Park]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070823061120/http://helsinkiww.net/pmr/index.html Porvoo Museum Railway] – train service to/from Helsinki on summer Saturdays

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Porvoo
 | N  = [[Askola]]
 | NE = [[Myrskylä]]
 | E  = [[Loviisa]]
 | S  = ''[[Gulf of Finland]]''
 | W  = [[Sipoo]]
 | NW = [[Pornainen]]
}}
{{Uusimaa}}
{{50 most populous Finnish municipalities}}
{{Medieval towns of Finland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Porvoo| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Grand Duchy of Finland]]
[[Category:Medieval Finnish towns]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Eastern Uusimaa]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Uusimaa]]