Fishing homesteads were established in the inner and outer reaches of the Luvia archipelago
The Luvia archipelago off Eurajoki began to rise gradually from the sea about 500 years ago. The coastline formed numerous islets and islands. Long before permanent settlement, fishermen, hunters, and seafarers were moving along the sea and coast.
Nationally important fishing settlements are located in both the inner and outer areas of the Luvia Archipelago. The first fishing homesteads or crofts were established in the late 18th century on their own islands in a sheltered place, where small-scale cultivation and grazing were also possible.
The first settlements in the 18th century were the fishing crofts on the islands of Hyviluoto and Säppi, as well as a pilot station on Pirskeri Island. A few settlements also consisted of individual fishing homesteads and crofts only.
Normal transport method in the archipelago was a rowing boat.
Traditional enclosures still exist today
The outer part of the Luvia Archipelago consists of a chain of islands which include Pastuskeri, Kuiskeri, Kinaskeri, Parskeri, Pirskeri ja south-Pirskeri. An example of a well-preserved enclosure can be found in the fishing homestead located on the island of Takholm-Pastuskeri. The main building of the Väpäreenkari fishing stead, south of Kuiskeri, was completed in 1883.
The buildings on the eastern shore of Kinaskeri Island date from the early 20th century. The former pilot station of Pirskeri Island represents an older settlement, i.e. the first phase of its main building was already completed in the late 18th century. The island of South Pirskeri has four fishing homesteads which were established in the early 19th century.
On the northern part of the island are local areas known as Haapaniemi ja Saaristo, both of which also have small fields of arable land. In addition, there are two fishing homesteads in the southern part of the island with their main buildings dating back to the 19th century in an area called Ulko-Rounoori.
In the inner archipelago, there are three old fishing homesteads located on Hyviluoto Island. On the east coast is Hyviluoto homestead, which was founded in the 1700s and whose buildings have been preserved as a compact unit. The main building dates from the mid-19th century.
On Takskeri Island, the exterior of the dwelling in the fishing homestead, with its square-shaped enclosure, is from the 1920s. The main building of the Anteskeri fishing settlement dates from the 1910s. Its enclosure is surrounded by rock cairns, which are considered ancient relics.
Rocky shores of Ryöväskeri island.
Fishing, seafaring, shipbuilding, and quarrying were practiced on the coast and in the archipelago
In addition to fishing, shipping and shipbuilding were practiced along the Luvia coast and in the archipelago. The important inner sea route of Ledsund passed through the Luvia archipelago. The protective archipelago provided a place of rest and refuge for sailors sailing both south and north.
The area around Pirskeri Island in the outer reaches of the Luvia archipelago has long been a resting place for sailing ships. The sailing route south of Pori passed through Pirskeri harbour.
Quarrying for paving stones has also been practiced in the Luvia archipelago. Among other locations, stone from the island of Klopa in the northern part of the outer archipelago was collected and quarried at the beginning of the 20th century. This stone was sent to the city of Pori.
Landscape from Ryöväskeri, galeas Ihana on the horizon.
Fishing homestead, crofts and villas were built on the island
Proper settlement of the Luvia archipelago did not take place until the 19th century. In addition to the individual fishing steads and crofts, the archipelago also includes later villa dwellings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
After the world wars, the livelihoods and settlements of the Luvia archipelago and coast underwent major changes. Fur farming along the coast became a new industry alongside fishing. Nevertheless, fishing homesteads in the archipelago began to be abandoned. The final abandonment took place in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Kinnaskeri Island fishing homestead was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1961. In the late 20th century, some fishing steads and islands were converted into holiday homes and summer cottages.
Landscape of Ryöväskeri island.
How and why is this location protected?
The Finnish Heritage Agency has defined the fishing villages of the Luvia Archipelago as nationally significant constructed cultural environments. Read more about the protection in the Finnish Heritage Agency's register!
To the west of the outer archipelago, a group of small islands and islets has been designated as a Natura 2000 nature protection area.
Visit
The islands can only be reached by private boat.
Finnish Heritage Agency's mapservice
N: 6818991, E: 201491 (ETRS-TM35FIN)