Paimio’s history stretches from prehistoric times to the present, with evidence of human activity in the area dating back over 10,000 years.

Early Settlers
People have lived in the Paimio area since around 8400 BCE, shortly after the last Ice Age. The first settlements were along the Paimio River, and many artifacts and traces of early habitation have been found.

Bronze Age
Bronze Age communities built stone cairns on hilltops. About 40 cairns and several Bronze Age settlements and artifacts are known in the Paimio area.

Iron Age
During the Iron Age, various burial practices were used, including cremation cemeteries and ritual stones. Several cemetery sites and cup-marked stones remain, offering insights into the rituals of the time.

Medieval Period
The earliest document mentioning Paimio dates back to 1325. The location along the Paimio River made the area an important route for both maritime and inland trade. Fishing and fur trading were significant livelihoods, and roads and bridges were maintained by local farmers.

Wars and Turmoil
Paimio suffered during conflicts over Baltic dominance, the Great Wrath, and Finnish wars in the 19th century. In the Winter and Continuation Wars, 122 locals lost their lives, and the town saw significant settlement by displaced populations.

Industrialization and Growth
In the early 20th century, brickworks, peat factories, and mills operated in Paimio. Later, industry diversified with mechanical workshops and electrical industries, attracting new residents and growing the population to over 10,000 by the 2000s.

Municipal Administration and City Status
Municipal meetings began in 1868, with the modern city council established in the 1910s. Paimio officially became a city in 1997.