Old Rauma is an outstanding example of a traditional Nordic city constructed in wood. The town was built in the 15th century around a Franciscan monastery. It is a harbour town at the Gulf of Bothnia.There are about 600 original wooden houses left. The oldest date from the 18th century when Rauma was rebuilt after a ravaging fire. Most of them though are from the 1890s, as a result of prosperity brought on by seafaring.