Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ship-building centre and a port for shipping tar and timber out of Pohjanmaa, but these
days it's a sleepy little spot sustained by potato farming. In 2011 Kristinestad became Fin-
land's first 'Cittaslow' town, an extension of the Slow Food movement, which aims to re-
balance the hectic pace of modern life not only with 'ecogastronomy' but also local arts,
crafts, nature, cultural traditions and heritage.
Sights
The town itself, with its rows of colourful wooden houses, is Kristinestad's key draw.
Old Customs House
HISTORIC BUILDING
(Staketgatan)
In the port's heyday, travellers entering Kristinestad had to pay customs duty, collected at
the Old Customs House, a smallish rust-wood building dating from 1720, just along from
the imposing town hall.
Ulrika Eleonora Kyrkan
CHURCH
(Old Church; 9am-4pm Mon-Sat mid-May-Aug)
Behind Kristinestad's Old Customs House is the charming red-wood Ulrika Eleonora
Kyrkan, with a crooked shingled steeple. Built in 1700, it retains much of its original de-
tail.
Nya Kirka
CHURCH
(New Church;Parmansgatan; 9am-4pm Mon-Sat mid-May-Aug)
The red-brick New Church has a high wooden ceiling and an archetypal church-ship ded-
icated by mariners.
Sjöfartsmuseum
MUSEUM
( 06-221-2859;Salutorget 1;adult/child €4/1; noon-4pm Tue-Sun mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
Sjöfartsmuseum was originally built in 1837 as a merchant's home to dominate the market
square. Today it showcases Kristinestad's maritime heritage, especially ship-building, with
reconstructions of a captain's cabin and a ship's helm.
