A PLACE FOR GROWTH
Tampere
Pori
165 km
135 km
Rusko
Masku
170 km
Raisio 10 km
8 km
Naantali
Turku
60°29’10’’N 22°10’10’’E
Helsinki
At the Junction A rather worn-out joke goes that Raisio is Finland’s only crossroads which has town status. In Raisio, this joke is still making people laugh, since at the junction point of many roads there is always people, trade, and a taste of the new. Raisio has always been a place of commerce; even the Vikings are known to have traded here. Nowadays shoppers don’t come from so far away, but Raisio is nevertheless clearly a trade centre for the whole of Southwest Finland. The E18 ring road that runs through Raisio is a true hub for shopping, featuring the Mylly Shopping Centre, an IKEA store, all kinds of interior design and construction services, and a number of automobile outlets. Raisio has over 24,000 residents and over 1,300 businesses, all within the confines of a compact and cosy home town. Many are attracted by the good services and broad recreational opportunities, as well as the safe atmosphere of this small town. Also, by straying a little from the main roads into the residential areas, you can see Raisio’s quite surprisingly green and verdant environment. Nature abounds in the back gardens of many, and fine green spaces can be found all around the town. Raisio also stretches as far as the sea; the town’s large marina is an outstanding gateway into the world’s most beautiful archipelago.
The town’s surface area is 49.5 km2. Population density is 501 residents/km2. The total population in 1950 was under 5,000. In 1960 it rose above the 10,000 mark, and by 1990 the population was already over 20,000. Age distribution: Under 14 = 16%, 15–64 = 65%, over 65 = 19%
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Welcome to the Store! Since the year 2000, Raisio has grown to be a more and more significant regional trade centre. The Mylly Shopping Centre, located next to the ring road, is one of Southwest Finland’s largest shopping centres, containing over a hundred stores. Mylly is also a lively venue for different events. Around a kilometre from Mylly, also located along the ring road, is the IKEA store, where there’s always a bustle of cars coming and going. Visitors can always take a break from home décor shopping by popping into the IKEA restaurant, which in terms of seating space is the largest in the Turku region. Not to mention the legendary meatballs! Around Mylly and IKEA has sprung up over the last decade or so a true shopping utopia. In the same area one can find cars, home and construction products and services, furniture, exercise equipment – almost everything which you could want or need. So for shopping in Raisio, sometimes one day is not enough!
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A Growth Business Environment Raisio is a crossroads, with roads heading off in every direction: Highway 8 and the E18 run towards Pori, Tampere, Hämeenlinna and Helsinki – and there is also of course the busy Kustavintie Road leading to the archipelago. In addition to the roads, there is also an airport, two ports and a rail line, all within a 10 kilometre radius. Could the town’s logistical location possibly be any better? In addition to all this, businesses are also attracted to Raisio by the large potential customer base and the town government’s fast and flexible decision-making capatown and desire for cooperation. What’s more, there is also available a skilled and well-trained workforce. Business parks can be found all around the town. A large investment for the future is the V8 Business Park to be built by the busy Highway 8. Strength and power can already be found in the over 110 hectare workplace area, since it is located adjacent to Raisio Motor Track. Raisio’s level of workplace self-sufficiency is over 93%. There are over 1,300 businesses providing over 10,000 jobs.
LARGEST EMPLOYERS The Town of Raisio 1400 The Mylly Shopping Centre 1000 Raisio Plc 400 Raseko 250 Cargotec Finland 220 IKEA 190 Turku University Hospital/ Raisio Hospital 150 Veho Ltd. ja Veho Group Ltd. 1 22 Bunge Finland Ltd. 120 Konepaja Häkkinen Ltd. 114 Bauhaus 100
ECONOMIC STRUCTURE Services Trade and commerce Industry Construction Transport
42 % 26 % 17 % 10 % 5%
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Easy Everyday Life Raisio is just the right size for a home town: big enough to offer comprehensive, good quality services while still small enough to offer a pleasant and safe atmosphere. Its smallness also offers another advantage: everything is located nearby and so is easy to reach by car, bike, or on foot. There are homes on offer in Raisio to suit every taste: apartment blocks and terraced houses (either fully-owned, rental, or right of occupancy homes) as well as detached homes. The Town grants annually a number of new plots of land for detached houses – and in building work the Town serves, of course, with professionalism and speed. There are kindergartens and primary schools all around the town. In total there are nine primary schools. When moving up to secondary school, all children are gathered into the same school in Vaisaari, near the town centre. There are nine child day care centres in total, but early education is also offered in group family day care centres, family day carers’ homes and private day care centres. Day-care services also offer park and after-school club activities, and service vouchers are also in use. In Raisio, free-time activities are in easy reach, as outdoor routes and nature areas can be found right next to almost every home. Whether you are looking for exercise, culture, or some other hobby, the options are numerous. In addition to the recreational services offered by the Town, there are a huge number of active organisations.
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RAISIO BAY: A HAVEN FOR BIRDS Many kinds of birds have been spotted in Raisio Bay, including peregrine falcons, red-necked phalaropes, little grebes, icterine warblers, golden orioles, river warblers, spotted redshanks, kingfishers, and red-breasted flycatchers.
SINCE 1292 Raisio’s recorded history begins in 1292. The oldest known mention of Raisio dates from this year, from the testament of Kaarle Kustaanpoika, which includes the granting of a sum of money (10 marks) to Elavus, the priest of Raisio. Life and commerce have nevertheless been carrying on in Raisio since the iron age. For example, a bowlshaped copper ingot found from the iron-age settlement in Mulli is one of Raisio’s most significant archaeological finds. Only three other such metal ingots have been found in the Baltic Sea area. The Mulli copper ingot is seen to be part of the trade in raw materials rather than being locally produced. The ingot weighs over 16 kg and would have been sufficient for the production of hundreds of small bronze buckles. The Large Postal Road (Suuri Postitie) ran from Stockholm to Turku via Raisio, and would presumably have been in use already in the 14th century. Along the Postal Road went not only the post, but also people and ideas.
A BLACKBIRD IN THE JUNIPER? Raisio’s official bird is the blackbird and its official plant is the juniper.
UNDER THE PROTECTION OF SAINT MARTIN Raisio’s coat of arms shows Saint Martin (316-397) riding a horse. Saint Martin is also Raisio church’s guardian saint, who is known as the patron of the poor and infirm. According to the legend, one day Martin came across a beggar clad in rags. To help this unfortunate man, Martin split his cloak in two with a sword and gave the other half to the beggar.
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A STUNNING RHODODENDRON PARK
THE BEAUTIFUL HAUNINEN RESERVOIR
In June, on Raisio’s College Hill, the passerby is confronted with a magnificent sight: a blossoming, fairy-tale forest of over 700 rhododendrons.
Hauninen Reservoir is an artificial lake which was built in 1973. The reservoir’s surface area is 38 hectares, and it provided raw water storage until 2012.
The rhododendron park was born in 2000 as a result of residents’ park planting work party.
Hauninen Reservoir’s shoreline is 3.5 km long, and around it there are different nature trails, one of which runs right next to the shore. The artificial lake also contains a small island. If you like, you could think of this as Raisio’s own archipelago!
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THE INVITING RAISIO RIVER Raisio River starts in Rusko and flows through Raisio into the Finnish Archipelago Sea. The river is 20 km long and its catchment area is 132 km2. In the iron age, the waters of the river are estimated to have been 5 to 6 metres higher than at present, with the river forming a bay that reached far inland. The river was at that time an important transportation route, along which it was possible to sail as far as the town district of Ihala. These days, one can go hiking along the river or try a spot of fishing. In summer, canoeing on the river is also possible.
ONE OF THE LARGEST MARINAS IN FINLAND Raisio’s marina is a gateway to Airisto and the world’s most beautiful archipelago. In the marina, there is place for over 700 boats, as well as a large and growing range of boating services. Opposite the marina is a shipyard, where slightly larger boats are built, including ocean-going cruisers. In summer, the marina is a pleasant place to visit where one can visit a café, admire the boats and go walking long the Timalipolku nature trail which winds around the coastal area.
Kerttula Full of Sports Kerttula sports centre is the home of Raisio Loimu, where there is no lack of passion, speed, and skill. Finnish Championship League volleyball has been played in Raisio since 1977, and with impressive results: Loimu is the most successful Finnish volleyball team ever. In Kerttula sports centre one can also engage in many different kinds of sport and exercise. In addition to the sports hall, there is also a sports field, a football pitch, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and a floodlit running and skiing track. In Kerttula there are also two ice rinks, where a shining reputation in the sport of ’ringette’ (similar to ice hockey) is maintained by the national league-level Raisio Nuorisokiekko (RNK) team. In Kerttula you can also find guide maps for the nature trails. Close to Kerttula’s exercise hub, in the Central Park, there is the Exercise Oasis, an ’outdoor gym’ which is open all the time. This is a common exercise and meeting point for people of all ages.
RNK
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A SWIMMING POOL TO SUIT ALL TASTES The Ulpukka (Water Lily) Swimming Centre is a resort-styled swimming hall where both dedicated swimmers and more relaxed bathers can enjoy taking a dip. The Ulpukka centre also contains a therapy pool, a paddling and play pool, and a gym. Those with a need for speed can also zip down the water slides. In the outdoor pool you’ll find sunbathers lazing in the summer, and in the winter – ice hole swimmers. There are also top-level swimmers training in Ulpukka. Included in the RaisU Hall of Fame are, among others, Jarno Pihlava, Jani Rusi, Patricia Aschan and Marjo Hienonen.
FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER
WALK AROUND RAISIO! One can explore Raisio’s town landscape using the Meriakseli (Sea Axis) route network. The Raisio route (8.4 km) goes around the centre area and then heads towards the sea. The river route (6 km) introduces the walker to the beautiful Raisio river valley. Guide maps for these routes can be located along the routes in Tasalanaukio, on the gates of Krookila Local History Museum and in Kerttula Sports Centre.
Pertti Karppinen from Raisio is a three-time Olympic rowing champion. A sculpture has been erected in Mr Karppinen’s honour in the forecourt of Kerttula Sports Centre; it is the work of sculptor Kerttu Horilan and is entitled ’Citius, Altius, Fortius’.
The guide map for the other nature trails can be found in the Kerttula Sports Centre. These routes are part of the larger Kuhankuono route network.
MOTOR SPORTS – ALSO UNDERGROUND
IT’S A STRIKE! Raisio Bowling Centre’s diverse entertainment options include glow bowling and a golf simulator.
Raisio Extreme Areena is the world’s only underground off-road racing sports centre. Skilled drivers can also be found at the Raisio Motor Track, located just off Highway 8.
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A Building Full of Stories and Emotion Raisio Library is a beautiful and busy meeting place and event location. There is always something happening there. Fairy tales are read to children, and films are screened for families and adults. Book matinees and Vinyl soirées have already become a tradition, and the handicraft club operates both through meetings and an online blog. In the summer, there is a tradition of organising a boundary-busting exhibition which gets all kind of people to the library even from far away. The library is also a nest of art and creativity. There are temporary exhibitions in the Aula Gallery and the exhibition space on the second floor, and something surprising can also always be found from the glass cabinet displays, such as different individuals’ unique collections. Also based in the library is an art lending service, which includes Finnish graphic art. Raisio’s Central Service Point is located in the library’s newspaper reading room. The library also contains the stylish 250-seater Martinsali Auditorium. Events taking place there include film screenings, concerts, and other memorable cultural experiences. The space is also rented out for use by other groups. In the shelter of the library building can also be found the NuoLi Service Point, which offers a wide range of information about sport, exercise, and youth-focused activities. NuoLi also has computers intended for customer use.
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ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN RAISIO’S MUSEUM HARKKO The heart of Harkko’s art collection is made up of works owned by the Eero Rantanen (1923–2002) Foundation, a collection totalling over 3000 works of art. The Archaeology department presents Raisio’s rich pre-historical period. Archaeological research has been carried out in Raisio ever since the end of the 1930s, and the Town of Raisio continues to participate actively in funding and carrying out archaeological excavations in cooperation with Turku University’s Department of Archaeology. The museum’s exhibition spaces and the museum shop are located in Raisio’s Town Hall (Nallinkatu 2).
Nina Terno, 1974 Eero
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THEATRE WITH PASSION Raisio Theatre is a vibrant amateur theatre where plays are performed with fiery passion and professional pride. The summer theatre space is in Krookila Local History Museum.
CHURCH BUILDERS KILLI AND NALLI In the old residential neighbourhood, the oldest stories live on. One of these is the story of the builders of Raisio Church: the ogres Killi and Nalli. The first known written version of the legend dates from 1656. The locals engaged in building the new church obtained the help of secret and supernaturally vigorous builders. In reality, the church builders were the ogres Killi and Nalli, who hankered after the church’s silver.
The first written record mentioning Krookila Farm dates from 1490, when it belonged to the Dean of Turku Cathedral.
The true nature of these creatures, disguised in human form, was revealed when they were not able to attach the cross to the church’s pinnacle. ’Away from the church Killi! Away from the tower Nalli!’, shouted the priest, who drove the ogres away.
Today, visitors can walk around in Krookila in a 100-year-old courtyard environment. The original buildings are from the 19th century, and the idyllic surroundings also include a windmill and a smoke sauna which can be booked for private use.
The people of Raisio obtained an almost complete church entirely for free. The top of the western end wall remained, however, unfinished. It was repaired with wood, not with stone, and has remained to this day as a wooden wall.
Krookila has a summer theatre, lunch is served at the JuhlaMummola restaurant, and one can sit in the Wanhat Kupit café enjoying a cup of coffee and admiring the old Arabia coffee cups, plates, vintage coffee pots and numerous other items of vintage kitchenware and gift ware.
In the Raisio forests some of us can still make the lullaby of the goblin mother: ’Killi made the church, and Nalli forged the nails, there in wealthy Raisio.’ The ogres can also be seen standing in the sculpture ’Killi and Nalli, the Church Builders’ by Harry Kivijärvi.
THE BANQUETING TABLE IN KROOKILA LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND YE OLDE ARABIA
THE BEAUTIFUL GREY STONE CHURCH AND THE CHAPEL OF LIGHT The history of Raisio Church begins in 1305, when its construction probably begun with the building of the vestry. The current grey stone church, however, dates from 1500–1520. The church’s oldest treasures include gravestones from the 12th century and a crucifix made at the beginning of the 14th century by a master craftsman from Lieto, east of Turku. In the church’s cremation cemetery is located the glass-walled Chapel of Light, which was designed by architect Bey Heng and has a floor which is covered with an evergreen ivy. The splendid chapel calls its visitors to stop and reflect.
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Town Hall Museum Harkko Nallinkatu 2
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Church and the Chapel of Light
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Market place, Raisiocentre www.raisiokeskus.fi
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Raisio Library Martinsali Auditorium Eeronkuja 2 tel. +358 (0)2 434 3251 www.raisio.fi/kirjasto
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ACCOMODATION IN RAISIO
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Ulpukka Swimming Centre Eeronkuja 5 tel. +358 (0)2 434 3360 www.raisio.fi/ulpukka
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Hotel Martinhovi Martinkatu 6 tel. +358 (0)2 438 2333 www.martinhovi.fi
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Raisio marina
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Bird-watching tower
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Kerttula Sports Centre
Gasthaus Henri Kaanaantie 111 tel. +358 (0)2 439 7976 www.gasthaushenri.fi
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Krookila Local History Museum Krookilankuja 40 tel. +358 (0)2 437 3493 www.krookila.fi
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The Mylly Shopping Centre
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IKEA Store
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ABC Raisio
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Health Centre
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School complex
Fรถli, the Turku region public transport network, includes frequent services in and around Raisio: www.fรถli.fi
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TOURIST INFORMATION Raisio Library Eeronkuja 2, 21200 Raisio tel. +358 (0)2 434 3443 kirjasto@raisio.fi TOURIST GUIDES Raisio and South-Western Coast Tourist Guides tel. +358 (0)40 837 7218
Raision kaupunki 2015
Town hall, Nallinkatu 2 P.O. Box 100, 21201 Raisio tel. +358 (0)2 434 3111 fax +358 (0)2 435 4382 raision.kaupunki@raisio.fi www.raisio.fi