Pori is a super destination for cultural tourists
Pori is a cultural tourist's dream destination, with a vibrant cultural life offering museums, exhibitions and stunning architecture. With Teemu Muurimäki's gown exhibition at the Satakunta Museum as the highlight of 2025, now is the time, if ever there was one, to experience Pori's vibrant culture on the spot. From the beginning of 2025, all under-18s and students will have free access to Pori's museums, and there's plenty to see for all ages. Welcome to Pori's diverse cultural attractions!
Pori Art Museum
Pori Art Museum is a contemporary and impressive museum of contemporary art. At the core of its activities are originality and uniqueness and a belief in the social significance of art. The museum building, which originally served as the horizontal and cold room of the customs house, is part of the architectural and historical heritage of the 19th century Kivi-Pori. The Pori Art Museum has undergone extensive renovation and will open in January 2025.
Pori Art Museum’s new exhibition programme opens with an exhibition by the Circle group, which stretches the boundaries between art forms. Working at the crossroads between avant-garde sound art and rock music, the Circle
Circle is a Pori-based phenomenon whose repetitive, monumental and sculptural music, as well as performative live shows, are known worldwide.
The Pori Art Museum is based on the life’s work of Professor Maire Gullichsen (1907-1990) and the collection of the Art Foundation that bears her name. The collection now has its own permanent exhibition space in the Art Museum’s Wing. The inaugural exhibition, Maire Gullichsen and the turning points of modernism, will present classics from the collection in new contexts, juxtaposed with works from the collection that have been less frequently exhibited.
The reduced expression of Helene Schjerfbeck, the colourful paintings of Magnus Enckell or Ellen Thesleff, the abstract still lifes of Sam Vann and the Constructivism of Lars-Gunnar Nordström are all milestones in Finnish art at a turning point in the 20th century.
Poriginal Gallery
Poriginal is Pori Art Museum’s own gallery, whose exhibition programme includes six exhibitions selected each year through an open call for entries. Contemporary art is at the heart of Poriginal’s exhibitions. Gallery exhibitions are always free of charge to the public.
Teemu Muurimäki – Quarto Di Secolo – A quarter of a century of unique costumes 26.4.2025-22.2.2026
Pori-based fashion artist Teemu Muurimäki will open his first solo exhibition at Satakunta Museum on 26 April 2025, celebrating 25 years of Muurimäki’s career. It is a significant survey of Finnish fashion art. The exhibition is organised by the Satakunta Museum and Teemu Muurimäki. Muurimäki, one of Finland’s best-known fashion artists, has been designing unique costumes since the late 1990s. Muurimäki’s costumes have been seen at the Linna Festival, the New Music Competition, the Eurovision Song Contest and the Cannes Film Festival. Years at the top of the fashion world in France, Italy and Australia with Cymbeline Paris, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Carla Zampatt and others brought Muurimäki to the forefront of the fashion world. In Finland, Muurimäki has designed for Marimekko and Turo. A comprehensive sample of Muurimäki’s rich output of glamour and sparkle arrives in Pori
from throughout his career.
Satakunta Museum
The Satakunta Museum is a regional museum founded in 1888, located along the Kokemäenjoki River near Kivi-Pori. The museum is one of Finland’s oldest cultural history museums and is firmly rooted in the present day – the versatile museum was awarded Museum of the Year in 2019.
The basic exhibition of Elon’s characters has plenty to see, explore and do for the whole family. At Christmas, the museum’s popular Elves exhibition is a must-see. The changing exhibitions always delve into new and interesting themes and local history. In addition to the exhibitions, the Satakunta Museum also organises lectures, workshops and other events. The museum also has a museum shop.
Ark nature centre
The Ark nature centre is a favourite with families and young people! The basic exhibition “From forests to the sea” presents the nature of Satakunta with its animals and plants. Changing exhibitions provide interesting additional content. Climb a miniature hut, look out from a bird tower or balance on the long poles. Finally, crawl into a bear’s den if you dare! There is also a small museum shop in the nature centre.
Rosenlew Museum
In Aittaluoto, next to a traditional factory site, you can discover the history of the Rosenlew company (1853-1987) in the main exhibition “The time of the family company”. Changing exhibitions broaden the perspective on various industrial and technological topics. The Rosenlew Museum also houses a museum shop.
Korsman House
Located near the centre of Pori, the Korsman House and the Satakunta Museum’s restoration centre are surrounded by a charming courtyard of log buildings over 100 years old. The Korsman House is a time travel experience in the home of an ordinary 1950s Pori family.
Ahlström Noormarkku
Ahlström Noormarkku is one of the largest and most spectacular ironworks areas in Finland. It offers high-quality accommodation and restaurant services as well as cultural tours. The historic environment combines industrial heritage, architecture and nature in a unique way. The area includes the Alvar Aalto designed Villa Mairea, the atmospheric Hotel Ahlström with accommodation and meeting facilities, and the Noormarkun Klubi restaurant, which offers seasonal tastes from local ingredients.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, nature trails and cultural events all year round. Ahlström is the perfect destination for both a day trip and a peaceful holiday in a historically beautiful setting.
Villa Mairea
The famous Villa Mairea, designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto, is located in the Ahlström Noormarkku area. The building combines architecture, iconic designer furniture, art and well-being. These wonders of design and art will be seen from all over the world!
Alvar and Aino Aalto designed Villa Mairea as a home for their friends Maire and Harry Gullichsen. The building was completed in 1939. Harry Gullichsen was the Director of A.Ahlström Oy at the time. Maire Gullichsen was a patron and collector of art, and her foreign art collection is on display at Villa Mairea. The Mairea Foundation, founded by Maire Gullichsen, operates in the building, showing the building to the public and looking after the collections it owns. There are guided tours of Villa Mairea. The building is one of the most famous private homes in the world and is visited by thousands of people every year.
The old town centre of Pori and Kokemäenjoki river
The old centre of Pori, Kivi-Pori, is adorned with numerous beautiful old stone buildings. In the old town centre, you can admire the Junnelius Palace, which serves as Pori’s town hall, the Pori old Town Hall, built in 1841, and its English-style Town Hall Park, as well as the sophisticated Theatre House. The stone townhouses and public buildings of Pori’s Eteläranta waterfront districts form one of the most representative old stone quarters in Finland. The area is situated between the Eteläranta river landscape and Valtakatu. For tourists, Eteläranta is one of the most recognisable places in Pori and here
the best of Pori is captured in beautiful shots.
Pori Theatres
Pori Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in Finland with over 140 years of tradition. The theatre offers unforgettable experiences for all ages with thrilling performances in a stunning 1884 neo-renaissance theatre building in the centre of Pori. The programme includes a wide variety of drama, comedy, musicals and children’s theatre – both Finnish and international productions. The theatre offers experiences for audiences of all ages all year round.
The Rakastajat Theatre is an original and bold theatre that brings new perspectives and fresh stories to life. The intimate setting creates an authentic and intense theatrical experience, where the audience and
the audience and the actors. These two theatres make Pori a vibrant cultural city where theatre art touches and inspires.
The mausoleum of Jusélius
The Juselius Mausoleum is one of Pori’s most famous attractions and the only mausoleum in Finland. It was built in 1903 in memory of Sigrid, the only daughter of businessman Fritz Arthur Juselius. The magnificent building is located in Käppärä cemetery, and its symbolism and frescoes are considered to be of national importance. The paintings were created by the artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela.
The mausoleum is an impressive and moving place to visit, where history, art and love come together in an extraordinary way.
