Oulu has risen from the ashes towards opportunities

Since its prehistory, Oulu has had a forward-looking character: as a major transport and trading hub, it has always brought people and opportunities together. Over the centuries, it has burned down ten times, and has always risen from the ashes to new heights.

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Early signs of life

The Oulu area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, although it did not become a city until hundreds of years later. Since the early days, Oulu has connected people and opportunities, with Oulu and the Oulu River serving as a route for fishing and trade. In the Bronze and Iron Ages, both the Karelians and the Vikings passed through it. I think some of them have even stopped here!

Trading, brawling and urbanisation

In the 13th century, it was not quite clear which state owned Oulu, and this led to skirmishes in the area. Eventually, Oulu came under Swedish ownership and was granted a charter by King Gustav Vasa. was established as a trading post in 1531. History records that the city of Oulu was founded in 1605. It caused quite a stir and Oulu quickly became a centre for the tar and salmon trade. The first signs of industry and investment in education were seen as early as the 1600s, when The population of Oulu doubled from 400 to 800.

Risen from the ashes

Oulu has burned ten times in its history. In the 1700s, the new harbour and the town's privileges as a town of tapuli further strengthened Oulu's position as a trading city. The main exports were tar, timber, salmon and butter. Tar became an important export product, livelihood and tourist attraction for Oulu - which it still is to some extent. Oulu, which became the capital of the Oulu Province, was the second most populous city in Finland after Turku at the end of the 1700s.

Through reforms to the war years

The 19th century saw a few significant events: A primary school started in Oulu, the first newspaper began to appear, the railway was completed and the Oulu Cathedral, damaged in another fire, was rebuilt.

The war years treated Oulu reasonably. In the battle of 1918, the Whites won and the Red prisoners of war ended up in Raatinsaari prison camp. In the Continuation War, Oulu was far from the actual front line and the greatest damage was caused by Soviet bombing in February 1944. By the mid-20th century, the population was already over 35 000.

Industrial development and growth

In the mid-20th century, the University of Oulu began its activities and quickly had a decisive impact on the growth of industry and various service jobs, as well as the population. A remarkable story began in 1973, when the Nokia group built its factory and industrial facilities in Rusko. This was the start of a rapid journey for Oulu's development as a centre of high-tech.

The population of Oulu passed the 100 000 mark in 1990, making it the 6th largest city in Finland. After the merger of municipalities in 2013, Oulu became Finland's fifth largest city in terms of population, with 190 891 inhabitants.

In the moment, but looking to the future

Today, Oulu is a versatile tourist destination, the capital of the Nordic region and the future European Capital of Culture. Looking to the future with a puffed out chest, but feet on the ground, Oulu will continue to develop and grow as the technological hub of northern Finland, a university city, an event city and perhaps a bit of a p*ssy town - in a balance with northern nature.