A wooden dock with two chairs overlooks a calm waterway lined with red buildings and lush greenery. Wooden dock extending into calm water with red buildings and trees in the background, creating a serene waterfront scene.
Finland

Uusikaupunki: A Town of Wood and Water

Wooden pier in the marina of Uusikaupunki
 Uusikaupunki, Finland, July 2023

Uusikaupunki (population 15,000) lies on Finland’s west coast. Founded in 1617, it has been destroyed several times by devastating fires—the last one in 1855. The current layout dates back to that rebuilding and feels surprisingly rational: straight streets, laid out at right angles, almost like in America. I walked a few of them—little traffic, little noise, but plenty of wood. Most houses are low, many with traditional wooden facades, all carefully maintained.

A few streets away lies Myllymäki, the Mill Hill. In a lovely park stand several small historic windmills, collected in the 1930s by an enthusiastic mill aficionado. A water tower completes the scene.

Uusikaupunki feels liveliest at the marina, where the sea cuts into the town as a sheltered bay. The old warehouses along the quay now house charming cafés and restaurants, the cuisine, however, remains down-to-earth. Local staples include Fiinemäs Silakamperuna (salted herring with potatoes), Orhrankrynyvelli (a barley porridge), and Perunmakkar (a kind of blood sausage with potatoes in it). Certainly hearty fare—but not exactly a reason to put the camera down.

Map of Uusikaupunki
A quiet, tree-lined street with wooden houses and a crosswalk under a clear sky. Ideal for scenic walks and local exploration.
A quiet street lined with wooden houses and leafy trees, showcasing a serene urban landscape on a sunny day.
A serene residential street lined with birch trees and charming wooden houses. The road is slightly winding and well-maintained.
A quiet urban street with trees lining the left side and buildings on the right, featuring parked cars and a distant horizon.
A historic church building with a wooden tower surrounded by lush trees and green grass, showcasing architectural charm.
The Old Church of Uusikaupunki was built between 1623 and 1629 and has never burned down. At the beginning of the 18th century, however, it was used as a Russian grain store for a time. After the New Church was constructed in 1863, the Old Church lost its role as the main church and was used as a museum. 100 years later, the museum moved out, the building was extensively restored, and it was reconsecrated in 1976. Services are now held here in the summer and in the New Church in the winter.
A historic stone church featuring a tall, wooden steeple, surrounded by lush green grass and trees on a clear day.
The free-standing bell tower was added in 1775 and also served as a fire watchtower until 1935.
A stone building with a metal roof surrounded by vibrant flower gardens and trees. Pathway leads to the entrance.
No one has been buried in the adjacent cemetery since 1848.
A water tower and a red windmill stand on green grass, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
The water tower in Myllymäki Park is 30 meters high. In the past, it was possible to climb it as a viewing tower, but today access is restricted. In the background, you can see an old Smock mill from the mid-19th century. It was brought here from neighboring Pyhäranta in 1932.
A traditional red wooden windmill surrounded by lush greenery and a white bench on the ground, under a clear blue sky.
This old post mill was originally built in the town of Rauma and brought here in 1933.
A traditional red windmill with wooden sails stands on rocky ground, surrounded by lush greenery and blue sky.
This post mill was used in the mid-19th century in a distillery near Helsinki to grind charcoal.
A tranquil pond surrounded by green grass and trees, with colorful buildings in the background under a bright sky.
A historic red windmill surrounded by lush greenery and colorful foliage, showcasing traditional architecture and nature.
This unusual specimen was erected near the town of Rauma in 1909 and, like the others, was moved here in 1933.
Wooden dock extending into calm water with red buildings and trees in the background, creating a serene waterfront scene.
A wooden boat docked at a marina surrounded by sailboats, with green trees and a wooden deck in the foreground.
Two weathered wooden lounge chairs on a gray wooden deck, inviting relaxation in a serene outdoor space.
A small boat with a blue top is moored in calm water, with green trees and a yellow building in the background.
A wooden dock with two chairs overlooks a calm waterway lined with red buildings and lush greenery.
A scenic marina framed by a large artistic picture frame, featuring boats and green trees along the waterway.
Uusikaupunki N60 47 56 E21 24 40
A pedestrian bridge over calm water leads to buildings with outdoor seating, surrounded by trees in a serene, waterfront setting.
A wooden bridge overlooking a marina in Uusikaupunki with moored boats and colorful buildings along the waterfront.
A towering brick church framed by green trees, showcasing intricate architecture and a welcoming entrance.
A tall brick church with a distinctive tower, featuring large wooden doors and decorative windows, framed by greenery and flower pots.
The New Church in Uusikaupunki was built between 1858 and 1863 to replace the Old Church. The latter was in need of renovation, but refurbishment was considered too costly at the time.