Old Market Square
You are now in the middle of the old Market Square.
By looking at the old black and white photographs you can see what life was like along the market street in the 1800-1900s.
Even though the area has changed and the marketplace moved to a different location, there are still a lot of traces to be found of the street’s old purpose.
Plassi market fairs have a long history, starting from the 1620s. There used to be two distinct market squares: Market Square (Kauppatori) and Tar Square (Tervatori).
Market Square used to bare a resemblance to the streets of Kokkola and Raahe, but in a smaller scale. The buildings along the market street were attached to each other, leaving no space in between and forming long chains of shops and barns.
There was also a “kistu” - a market jail located on the street.
In 1855 Plassi had 171 buildings of which 31 were living quarters, 20 were shops and 31 were storage or barns.
In 1865 a local officer F. von Nandelstadth suggested shutting down the market fairs. The reason for this was the town’s police forces’ inability to maintain order during fairs. Especially one narrow ally which the locals called “soukka” was a place where regular fights occurred.
Two of the old photographs are taken by a famous Finnish anthropologist Samuli Paulaharju, who visited Kalajoki in the beginning of the 1900s. Paulaharju describes his experiences in his book “Old Raahe” (Wanha Raahe 1925):
"Near the great river Kalajoki was the Plassi Market Square, just like the ones merchants had in Raahe or Kokkola, Pietarsaari and Vaasa, where they had their little shops and houses on both sides of the street, which opened up in between like the streets of a bigger city. The merchants lived in their shop-houses during the market fairs, and many had their wives with them to cook and serve coffee. In their shops, they sold all kinds of things from salt to iron, while the farmers only offered their products from carriages"
Image descriptions:
- 1: Buildings of the market street
- 2: On the right is Finnilä Shop, the former Friman shop.
- 3: Market jail "kistu" can be seen in the middle. Photo by Samuli Paulaharju.
- 4: Old buildings. Photo by Samuli Paulaharju.
- 5: Market street in the 1950's.
Kalajoen kotiseutuyhdistys.
- 6: Market street, summer 2025 (Lotta Puurula)
Tales from Plassi
Welcome to Plassi – the old town of Kalajoki!
This cultural route spans between the Jokela Vicarage and the Havula museum, leaving a trail of unique and fascinating sightseeing spots on the way.
Learn about the history and the cultural significance of the Plassi area!
In short:
The name “Plassi” derives from a swedish word “marknadsplats”, meaning a marketplace.
Plassi has a long history of being the local center for trading, marketing, sailing, handicrafts and saw industry.
The old village structure in Plassi is well preserved and the area is mostly covered in wooden houses from the 1700-1900s.
Guided walking tours are organized around the Plassi area and at the Havula museum by Kalajoen Matkailuoppaat ry (Kalajoki Travel Guides).
- Book a guided tour: 040 5571325
Additional info:
- The route is app. 2 km long
- You can experience the route by walking, bicycling, driving or entirely remotely in digital form
- There is a sidewalk for pedestrians almost reaching the end of the route, but the last 300 meters you have to walk on the side of the road
- Some of the buildings on the route are privately owned and inhabited - please, remember to respect private properties!
This route is designed in collaboration with Kalajoki Culture Services, and Sari Alajoki, the expert in built heritage.
The old black and white photographs are from Kalajoen Kotiseutuyhdistys (Kalajoki Local Association).
Image description:
- 2: Map of Plassi from 1869 (by C.G.W. Laudelin).