Kristinestad

Kristinestad is a coastal municipality in western Finland with a grid-planned center featuring wooden architecture. The settlement sits on a peninsula and includes surrounding rural areas along the shore.

Count Peter Brahe founded this maritime settlement in 1649 on Koppö island and named it after Queen Christina of Sweden. This royal connection and trading past shaped the community's development.

The town officially uses both Finnish and Swedish, a heritage visible in street names and community life. This bilingual character shapes how residents experience their daily surroundings and local traditions.

Explore the center on foot or by bicycle to fully experience the wooden architecture and quiet streets. The flat terrain and coastal location make navigation easy for visitors of all abilities.

The municipality joined the Cittaslow movement in 2011, becoming Finland's first community in this international network for sustainable living. This commitment shapes how the town approaches growth and daily life.

Location: Ostrobothnia

Inception: 1649

Part of: Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia

Shares border with: Isojoki, Karijoki, Merikarvia, Närpes, Teuva

Website: https://kristinestad.fi/start

GPS coordinates: 62.27361,21.37778

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:26