Pomarkku-Finland | Pristine Nordic Mesmerising Wilderness.

Pomarkku is a charming centre of Finland which represents in all its splendour the perfect and unforgettable image of that marvellous Scandinavian country extremely highlighted by a a pristine Nordic mesmerising wilderness which is undoubtedly one of the great natural highlights beauty of that stunning land eternally visible and captivating in that centre able to enchant every visitor at first sight.

That is one of the great, fascinating secrets of that stupendous Northeastern European Nation characterised by its  intact nature which find a great representative in that centre of approximately 2,500 inhabitants situated at 290,0 kilometres north-west of the capital Helsinki, in the attractive region of Satakunta, a few steps from the Gulf of Bothnia north of Pori, the tenth largest municipality of  the country, major centre of the district in the province of Western Finland.

The proximity of the Baltic Sea with its fabulous coastline is a further splendid attraction with the magnificent presence of long sandy beaches, highlighted by striking views along an enchanting coastline which at sunset will show you some of the best images you can admire in the entire Scandinavian peninsula.

You will discover all around that Finnish municipality a huge mosaic of wonderful fairytale corners boasting superb marvels which immediately transmit the visitor the pure fascination of an enchanting territory, packed by large green forests, wild streams, calm rivers and an incredible number of stunning lakes.

All those natural attractions surrounded by a magic aura encircle that town making it a special, suggested destination extremely appropriate for all those who want to enjoy holidays admiring something of simply extraordinary.

In the Finnish Republic you can find small towns which convey the magic charm of a spectacular natural scenery and that beautiful centre is a true confirmation thanks to its magnificent location on the shore of the splendid uncontaminated Pomarkunjoki river, a waterway of immense fascination flanked by a beautiful large woodland unique in its kind for its colours and preservation.

You will also have the great chance in its proximity to enjoy the wonderful and picturesque Lake Isöjarvi, a waters basin among the most scenic and enchanting of the entire Nation, forming with that mentioned watercourse a great combination, both surrounded by a vivid green frame  which give that place a fabulous appeal.

The local forests are in their totality virgin offering unforgettable images to remember forever, they are absolute protagonists delighting many trekkers, enthusiastic photographers with the chance to immortalise in an endless set of pictures the indisputable charm of a country which shows all around its superb wilderness environment all its great enchantment.

Pomarkku also for that is a fantastic, appropriate destination for families with children who will have a lot of opportunities to spend very pleasant times in contact with nature far from traffic, noise, with a lot of things to do starting from simple relaxing walks in that wonderful woodland in which silent and serenity are superb highlights.

In addition a further suggestion is that to enjoy brilliant excursion by boat on the local lakes discovering the charm of the true Finland which offers colours, tonalities and lights absolutely mesmerising.

Water sports such as as rowing, canoeing, kayak but also fishing on the river Pomarkunjoki are other splendid chances to fill days with those attractive outdoor activities and also another niche consisting in tourism adventure is a further one very appropriate for those who love to live in contact with the captivating, wild Finland with a marvellous option to rent a cottage near one of those spectacular waterways living 100% that magnificent reality exploring lands packed by a myriad of hidden gems with a multitude of very pleasant surprises.

Cycling on road and mountain bike find in that geographic point of Finland a perfect habitat to be greatly practised thanks to great panoramic roads along the local waterways and waters basin with also several dirt trails and mixed routes extremely attractive.

Satakunta region is also perfect for who is fond of cycle tourism with excellent opportunities to delight your days during a stay discovering many towns and villages with important monuments, architecttural masterpieces some of them elevated in the Middle Ages next to other more modern but equally superb.

Another considerable aspect which characterises that town and its Region is a genuine and healthy local cuisine with the chance to taste and discover the secret of a culinary art highlighted by natural products delighting your palate with a multitude of delicious homemade recipes. 

About accommodations you can find some houses and cottages in the area very comfortable, full equipped with parking located in beautiful uncontaminated verdant, tranquil, environments.

Spring, summer and early autumn are absolutely wonderful seasons to enjoy all that in a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere including with pleasant temperatures enchanted by the fantastic colours of an incomparable nature.

Winter is perfect for who is a lover of Nordic skiing practising Cross-country but also Adventure skiing two other activities so loved by many people in a Nation with a long rooted traditionand all around Pomarkku you can find many trails to practise those Scandinavian winter sports.

Also the local history is pretty interesting, since medieval times when that area was occupied by the Swedes with the notorious land of King Erik in 1155 and the former settlement was known with the Swedish name of Pämark. 

That denomination means main market because since the Middle Ages the former village was a well known as a market place on the road leading to the important, active city of Tampere called in that time Tammerfors during the times of the Kingdom of Sweden.

A relevant aspect is that since those times Pomarkku became  a bilingual centre, the locals continued for long time to use both languages, the native next to that of the rulers also when the entire country fell under the Tsars influence when it became a domain of the Imperial Russia.  

Despite that, the name left by the Swedes was preserved next to that usual used by the Finns as something extremely rooted, very difficult to forget with a great surprise of the new Russian rulers.

Those years were with the final conquest by that Eastern European Empire corresponded to the famous Great Northern War which endured 21 years, a clash started in in the early 18th century in which the Russian and Swedish armies  fought for the domain of that land along the Baltic coasts but also in the entire mainland, village by village, hamlets by hamlets, including in some places house by house.

 In 1809 during the times of Aleksandr I  the entire country was annexed to that Empire and called Grand Duchy of Finland with major centre the current capital Helsinki. (in the case you are interested I wrote a post that fascinating city)

A historic highlight of those times is that since the first foreign occupation continuing much more with the second there was an intense movement with protagonists several peasants who with their frequent, continuous revolts and riots started a considerable struggle in the rural areas trying to fight a never accepted  rigid, harsh feudalistic system which did not permit them to progress or having a determined autonomy. 

The official municipality was founded in 1868 and the chronological stages of that region continued in a climate of hostility and intolerance towards the rulers until the Independence of the Nation in the early 20th century officially proclaimed in 1917.

In that period in that centre the main activities were mainly focused on agriculture, woodwork and fishing while in the new era other industries were developed with the establishment of small factories particularly devoted to footwear and metals.

  
Some years later came another one consisting in Tourism, a new source with very interesting proposals covering the demand of several travellers who could enjoy a wide choice of outdoor activities in a wonderful natural Eden but at the same time  delighted by a cultural tourism discovering the secular local patrimony next to the mesmerising wilderness of a country able to donate many people something to remember forever and absolutely impossible to forget.

The centre of the town is mainly concentrated south of the river crossed by three main roads, one is Vanhatie which close to the Town Hall crosses the municipality from south-west to north,  Riuttantie is another relevant avenue located in the southern side of Pomarkku Park meeting the previous in proximity of one of the two local Churches called Pomarkun Vanha Kirkko while Pitkakuja is a strategic artery consisting in a sort of belt east to the core of Pomarkku. 

You can start the visit from Pomarkun Kirkko, a charming stone Church erected on a previous dating back approximately the early 20th century. 

That imposing Lutheran temple was totally completed in 1921, was consecrated in the same year once ended the last works led by  Ilmari Launis, a prominent architect with an excellent fame.

That talented character was pretty famous because he designed approximately 16 churches in different areas of Finland becoming a notorious figure who gave a new artistic life and image with several outstanding projects in a country which has produced great architects such as the iconic Saarinen, Aalto, Granholm  next to others protagonists of outstanding civil masterpieces.

The construction reflects a typical and traditional romantic Nordic style in vogue in those times when born a movement highlyl inspired by the research of an exaltation of the territorial beauty to combine with architecture, a sort of  patriotic artistic style with the local scene protagonist in every detail always trying to find a sort of happy marriage between constructions and the natural environment encircling them.

You wil notice in that Church erected on a wide rectangular plan that the lower section of the structure was established using a gray stone but harmoniously matching with the upper section of the front side highlighted by a light red tonality, all that beneath a scenic gray gable roof.

The main facade has an ample doorway with a sort protuberance projected towards the exterior above the portal even though part of the main roof on which was placed a domed turret with a long spire while on the sides  of the building were established some curved windows.

The interior is sober, very modern but bright with wide, long windows which next to some charming chandeliers give luminosity to the entire apse.

The other Church of the municipality is called Pomarkun Vanha Kirkko situated in a beautiful green area surrounded by pine and firs trees along a picturesque path leading to the main entrance,  older than the previous because it was elevated in 1802 and it is a building which has strong, marked Swedish architectural influences. 

The wooden facade has a brown tonality with a yellow window, a main framed portal with white borders, defined outlines but despite those different colours, the structure has a a very scenic, attractive image well integrated in the local natural environment.

The appealing tower is surmounted by a large polygonal copper roof on which was placed a wooden cylinder surrounded by a vague tiny white circular  balcony beneath a sort of turret topped by an onion dome surmounted by a long pinnacle.

Also that construction is in its kind very attractive with the aim to capture the attention of the human eye with an eclectic aesthetic image boasting a balanced layout with elements inserted with criteria.

Pomarkku offers the opportunity to have enjoyable walks along the picturesque river Pomarkunjoki,  a sinuous, scenic waterway crossing the entire municipal boundaries offering a beautiful chance to enjoy magnificent images along its shore highlighted by the presence of forests, charming coloured wooden houses, captivating cottages, all them giving the town a fairytale aspect.

The river flows approximately flows 300,0 metres from the inhabited centre, it is particularly attractive for its bends which model the size of its course, reachable by Vanhatie, a road which crosses in a point it by continuing further north.

Once there in a walk of approximately half kilometre you will admire two spectacular curves, especially one is very attractive, towards west, wider than the other forming a sort of small bay similar to a tiny lake with a couple of scenic inlets, a very pleasant place to take many pictures.

A great highlight in the area is enjoying a special promenade anytime flanking a peaceful, silent woodland leading to a beautiful stone bridge, a very nice, romantic corner representing in its kind one of the several hidden wonders of that pleasant town. 

The Lake Isojärvi is another wonderful attraction you can not miss, a mandatory to visit when you are in Pomarkku.  

That beautiful waters basin with a surface area of 38,82 square kilometres is packed by stunning islets and tiny mesmerising islands it is a a true, Finnish diamond, along its coastline you will admire an immense verdant pristine paradise with wild inlets, picturesque small coves, a treasure of nature flanked by picturesque paths, all around showing the magic charm of Finland in all its splendour.

 Isöjarvi Lake for many Finnish people is among the most fascinating in the entire country, it is not very deep, the maximum depth is about 10,0 metres but what is really beautiful are the magnificent  tonalities it has especially at sunset when the sun rays falling down towards the forests form a spectacular fan of reflections with marvellous contrasts of colours, a wonder to immortalise without hesitations in several pictures placing all them in one of your big best travel albums.

A special place offering magnificent views is at the junction of the river Pomarkunjoki, from there you can move along the northern coast in a walk of approximately 700,0/800,0 metres, admiring a very attractive coastal stretch with a splendid succession of inlets with a spectacular view coast to coast  towards the equally beautiful southern shore.

The waters of that lake also meet those of the river Merikarvianjoki which ends its course in the Baltic Sea in the Gulf of Bothnia. 

Also that section is a very suggested for an enjoyable walk, following its shore for a while you can admire spectacular bends, straights some narrower than others on a shoreline lining a multitude of pine trees in an incomparable scenery absolutely astonishing.

On another side that lake joins a further stream called Salmusoja which ends its course in another waters basin, a place very suggested for all those who love rowing and kayak enjoying the experience to move from that waters basin to that river.

That Finnish town also offers tourism combined with fun and in Vanha juna-asema Pomarkku, the old railway station you can rent a hand car two place capacity covering an itinerary with a length of 48,0 kilometres along the former railway line connecting the town of Kankaapaa through Pomarkku to the nearest Norrmarkku, a former municipality which is nowadays a suburb of the city of Pori.

In that place you can admire a great attraction consisting in Villa Mairea, one of the great works by Alvar Aalto probably the most distinguished Finnish architect of Finland all time.

 That building was erected between 1938 and 1939 for the rich and wealthy family Gullichsen, established on a scenic low hill surrounded by a pristine pine forest.

 

The history of that construction is very special because at the beginning the project was focused to build a rustic mansion as second residence similar to a country house but that talented architect changed idea deciding to develop a very eclectic villa using different kinds of materials. 

The final execution created a very functional stylish  three-storey building with a L plan characterised by a large hallway starting from a portico leading to a sauna while in the middle of an ample garden was established a swimming pool.

Normankku apart that highlight is also famous for other aspects because it was originally a former town in majority inhabited by Swedish speaking people but that site was curiously also a place in which was established one of the first schools for only Finnish speaking pupils.

In addition it is also the seat of the headquarter of the famed Ahlstrom Corporation, a well known fiber and paper–based company founded in 1851 controlled by the family Gullichsen owner of the previously mentioned villa.

That experience by hand car is a way to do something of alternative but at the same time enjoying the natural paradise of Finland also with that kind of captivating unusual activity very attractive in its kind offering the chance to see different places with also historic attractions.

Around the municipality there are many other interesting places to visit, I suggest you Pori which is just 26,0 kilometres away,  a splendid old Finnish city famous for its active harbour ad it was since medieval times an important  former Swedish settlement called Björneborg. 

 That centre is highlighted by superb architectural masterpieces, green parks and it is also pretty famous because it is the cradle of the first Theatre performances in Finnish language. 

Absolutely spectacular is its waterfront facing a magnificent coastal stretch of the picturesque Gulf of Bothnia, it is a place boasting excellent beaches in its immediate proximity along a wonderful Baltic jagged coast flanked by a beautiful road excellent for those who love cycle tourism.

 In addition that centre it is the seat of Porijazz, one of the most important Jazz Festivals celebrated in the country, a very acclaimed event attracting many people from different regions with a very high reputation because in different editions performed artists of international fame such as Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys among others.

The region of Satakunta is a great destination also for people fond of fishing, especially salmon while winter is the season in which Pomarkku thanks to its forests and the presence of snow is a paradise for Nordic skiing which thanks also to several scenic paths with a network of several kilometres in the immediate outskirts of the municipality is a stunning place to practise those activities.  

For the lovers of fauna that land is a special place for the presence of different kinds of birds, you can see in that territoriy Barnacle Geese, Ringed Polvers, Dunlins, Bar-tailed Godwits, different species of Ducks,  White-tailed Eagles among others. 

That is another option for all those who are fond of that activity called bird watching with the opportunities an ample variety of volatiles, some very rare, difficult to see in other countries.

A stay in Pomarkku will delight you also for a delicious cuisine, one of the iconic products consists in its delectable mushrooms considered among the best of the country. Some species called button, shiitake and oyster are used in different kinds of stews, soups, sauces or added as ingredients to a wide variety of recipes.

Fish is another gastronomic delight, you will find tastefully, always fresh herring, whitefish, perch, pike, salmon, the latter prepared in different styles such as grilled, smoked, marinated, present in soups or boiled and seasoned with aromatic herbs.

Notable is the quality of beef, poultry and pork meats, very popular is the traditional  reindeer soup, also  famed is the roast goose, highly appreciated are als waterfowl and duck prepared in different styles.

Grilled venison meats are also part of a vast culinary panorama, the typical Rauma lapskoussi  is a further plate consisting in a sort a sort of lobscouse casserole well known all around the region.

Very considerable is the presence in the local forests of berries and lingo berries often used to prepare cakes, bakery products but also supreme homemade jams while about desserts you can try the Eura Rinkilät, a sweet pastry which can accompany a warm tea or coffee.  

The closest Airport is Porin Lentoasema situated in Pori, it is a small airport providing some national and international flights located at 33,0 kilometres from that centre. 

A major airport not very far, ideal to have more options of landing is Tampere Pirkkala situated at 108,0 kilometres away. It provides several International, National and low cost flights, from there in approximately one hour and 40 minutes driving you can reach that town along the Route Porintie Strada 11 connected to Strada 259 via Lavia.

If you are planning a trip spending holidays in Finland organising a tailor made tour with different stages that peaceful and enchanting town called Pomarkku highlighted by that distinctive and pristine Nordic mesmerising wilderness is a great choice, a superb destination to admire something of extremely special.

The magic environment with the magnificent, unforgettable images of the Lake Isojärvi next to the fascinating course of the Pomarkunjoki river surrounded by a forestry Eden will delight you enjoying a unique travel experience which will be something to remember for a long time, probably also to repeat in future without hesitations because you will fall in love with that Scandinavian paradise simply unique in its kind.

Francesco Mari

Useful links

www.pomarkku.fi 
 www.satakunta.fi
revngo.com/pomarkku 

www.visitfinland.com