Loviisa's Old Houses Route allows you to experience the atmosphere of the past. The route winds through the bustling town center, lush parks, and along the sea.

Loviisa's history dates back to 1745 when Degerby was founded on the lands of the Degerby Manor as a border and fortress town. This was a result of the Treaty of Turku in 1743, which shifted the Russian-Swedish border to the western branch of the Kymijoki River. The easternmost town in Finland was left behind the new border, and a replacement had to be found. The original name of Loviisa was Degerby, but when King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden visited in 1752, the town was renamed Loviisa after his wife, Queen Louise Ulrika.

Loviisa still has many old buildings, some dating back to the town’s founding. A particularly famous area is the wooden house district in the lower town, one of Finland's only intact 18th-century urban areas. This area survived a devastating fire in 1855. The Degerby Manor’s outbuilding, from the 1600s, now serves as a restaurant.

You can enjoy the atmosphere of the lower town's streets year-round, admiring the craftsmanship of the past. During the Loviisa Old Houses and Loviisa Open Gardens events, you can peek into the courtyards and homes of these historic buildings. Don’t forget to visit the charming boutiques and cafes!

Loviisa - A small town with big experiences.