Sustainability

Sustainability in tourism in Rauma

We want that Rauma is a good place to live and visit now and in the future. We are making decisions, which are sustainable also for next generations. We act according the decisions and principles of sustainable tourism.

We cherish our cultural heritage

Our UNESCO World Heritage sites Old Rauma and Sammallahdenmäki, the sea and the archipelago, lace making and our own dialect are authentic and traditional part of people living in Rauma. Our goal is to present, maintain and strengthen our own culture with respectful way to locals and visitors.

We are committed to the principles of sustainable tourism

Rauma has been active in taking care of World Heritage sites for several years. We want to learn and develop and were among the first ones in Finland to join Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme. With this programme we will take even more active role in promoting sustainable tourism.

According to principles of sustainable tourism, we boldly inform about the actions of responsible tourism and future plans in Rauma. We openly talk about success, but also about challenges. We want sustainable tourism in Finland and Rauma to be known all over the world.

We develop tourism in cooperation with other operators in our region. Together we can better influence the future of society, tourism and especially Rauma!

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Rauma is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Old Rauma and Sammallahdenmäki. Old Rauma was granted the World Heritage status in 1991 as a unique example of a living and well-maintained old Nordic wooden town. The Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age burial cairns area was inscribed to the World Heritage List in 1999 as Finland’s first archaeological site.

Old Rauma

Old Rauma is the largest cohesive wooden urban area in the Nordic countries. It is still the heart of the city, where people live, trade and work all year round in a historic setting. The 29-hectare area of ​​Old Rauma has more than 600 buildings, most of which are privately owned. There are about 800 inhabitants in Old Rauma.

The protection, use and development of Old Rauma is guided by plan of management and use. The plan demonstrates how the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of a World Heritage Site will be effectively preserved for present and future generations. At the highest level of the plan is a vision to show the target status of the Old Rauma World Heritage Site in 2025.

“Old Rauma is a living, internationally acclaimed and exemplary World Heritage Site, where the City of Rauma works in good co-operation with residents, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.” (Vision of Old Rauma 2025)

How can you be responsible during your visit?

• Arrive by public transport. The bus station is right next to the Old Rauma.
• Walking is desirable, driving allowed. The distances are short.
• Use local services and favor local products.
• Respect the privacy of residents. Step into the yards only if you are invited.
• Visit Old Rauma all year round, even outside the summer season.

Sammallahdenmäki

The Bronze Age burial site of ​​Sammallahdenmäki is the largest and most diverse cemetery area of ​​Scandinavian bronze culture in the Gulf of Bothnia coastal area. The Sammallahdenmäki burial cairns located in the rugged rock landscape represent the monumental construction of the period. There are 36 cairns in the World Heritage Site.

The plan of management and use of Sammallahdenmäki was approved in 2015. The long-term goals of the plan are:

• Authenticity: the protection and preservation of the site and its surroundings as original as possible.
• Preserving the nature of the site in its current state.
• Valuable cultural attraction: the values ​​and information related to the World Heritage Site are passed on to all visitors, as well as to other interested parties through various information channels.
• Preserving the value of forest.
• Development of visitor management: walking only along guided paths.
• Development of visitor services.
• Development of activities for schools.

How can you be responsible during your visit?

• There is car park at both ends of the area. Please leave all vehicles in the parking lot. Explore the area by foot.
• The nature of the area is sensitive. Just move along existing paths.
• Please do not damage the ancient remains.
• Sammallahdenmäki has beautiful nature that changes with the seasons. Visit the area all year round, take note on the snow situation.

Rauma Archipelago and the Bothnian Sea National Park

The sea, the archipelago and shipping have played a significant role in Rauma for centuries. The archipelago off Rauma is a central area of ​​the Bothnian Sea National Park, known for its valuable underwater environment and diversity of birds. In addition to the national park, there are nature conservation and Natura 2000 areas in the Rauma archipelago.

When protecting the archipelago, attention is paid to the area’s environment, landscapes and biodiversity. Our operations do not exceed the carrying capacity of the nature, but safeguard the possibilities of a good life and preserve clean operating environment.

How can you act responsible during your visit?

• Follow the principles of litter-free camping.
• Use the ready-made hiking trails, which are plentiful in the Rauma archipelago.
• Take advantage of the wide range of services offered by local companies.
• Outdoor Etiquette (luontoon.fi)

Local culture of Rauma

The local culture of Rauma is authentic and rooted. It includes the Rauma giäl, i.e. the local dialect, poppin lace, handicrafts and art in their various forms.

Lace

For centuries, the people of Rauma have made beautiful lace patterns from linen yarn. According to legends, lace was made in Rauma as early as the 16th century. How did the lace-making art end up in Rauma, a small coastal town in southwestern Finland? There are many theories from monastic monks to sailors, but hardly anyone can tell the truth.

Lace-making has played a significant role in Rauma’s rise to become a strong industrial city. Rauma lace-making lived its heyday in the late 18th century to the 1840s, when Rauma lace adorned the edges of fashionable stiff caps.

The tradition of lace-making is still strong in Rauma and every year Rauma’s summer culminates in the city festival Lace Week, when the whole city is pulsating with a happy life.

Lace week

The lace week’s environmental work was awarded the Ecocompass environmental certificate 2019. In order to obtain the Eco-Compass, the environmental impacts of the event have been assessed. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the event with an environmental programme with clear objectives. A new waste management plan has also been prepared for the event. The aim is to actively reduce the environmental impact of the event, for example by enabling waste sorting, choosing electricity produced by renewable energy sources and making responsible and environmentally friendly purchases.

Visitors can reduce their environmental impact by sorting their waste and favoring public transport or cycling. The easiest way to move around in the event area is on foot.

Rauma giäl

There is no exact information of the formation of the Rauma dialect, but thanks to the sailors who brought influences to the port city, it has a lot of vocabulary from other languages. The dialect is characterized by shortening words and prattling.

Rauma giäl lives in Rauma in big and small details. It can be seen on signs in the city and can also be heard, for example, at the Pystökaffe at the market place in the mornings, when the market parliament meets to reflect on the burning issues of the day.