Turku and Pori Province

Turku and Pori Province
*Turun ja Porin lääni* (Finnish)
*Åbo och Björneborgs län* (Swedish)
Або-Бьёрнеборгская губерния (Russian)
Turku and Pori Province Turun ja Porin lääni (Finnish); Åbo och Björneborgs län (Swedish); Або-Бьёрнеборгская губерния (Russian)
County of Sweden 1634–1809; Province of Grand Duchy of Finland 1809–1917; Province of independent Finland 1917–1997
1634–1997
	Coat of arms
	; Map of Turku and Pori Province (1996)
Capital	Turku
Area
• 1 January 1993	20,721 km2 (8,000 sq mi)
Population
• 1 January 1993	731,786
History
• Established	1634
• Disestablished	1997
	Succeeded by
Province of Åland
Western Finland Province

Turku and Pori Province, or Åbo and Björnborg County,^[a] was an administrative province (Finnish: lääni, Swedish: län) in Finland. It existed as part of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1634 to 1809, the Grand Duchy of Finland under the Russian Empire from 1809 to 1917, and the Republic of Finland from 1917 until the province was abolished in 1997.

The province was first established in the 1634 Instrument of Government as the Province of North and South Finland, with its seat in Turku (Åbo).^[2] It was formed by uniting the slottsläns corresponding to Finland Proper, Satakunta and the Åland Islands.^[3] In 1641, Satakunta was briefly separated to form Pori Province with the seat in Pori (Björneborg), but the division proved short-lived, and in 1646 the areas were reunited as Turku and Pori Province.^[2]

During the 18th century, administrative adjustments reduced the size of the province. In Gustav III's great provincial reform of 1775, most of Upper Satakunta was transferred to the newly established Vaasa Province.^[4]^[3]

When Finland was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1809 and reorganized as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland, the provincial administration remained largely unchanged, and Turku and Pori Province continued under Russian rule. Under Swedish rule, the governor's title had been landshövding, but in 1837 it was changed to guvernör.^[5]

In 1918, after Finland’s independence, Åland was separated from the province and made into a distinct autonomous territory, while some municipalities of Satakunta were transferred to Häme Province.^[3] Proposals to divide Turku and Pori Province into separate provinces of Finland Proper and Satakunta were considered in the early 1980s but never realized.^[3]

In 1997, Turku and Pori Province was merged with the northern part of the Häme Province and with the provinces of Vaasa and Central Finland to form the new Western Finland Province. All Finnish provinces were abolished on 1 January 2010.^[6]

Maps

Municipalities in 1997 (cities in bold)

Former municipalities (disestablished before 1997)

Governors

Swedish realm

North and South Finland Province, including Åland

Broder Andersson Rålamb [fi; sv] 1634–1637^[7]^[2]
Melchior von Falkenberg [fi; sv] 1637–1641^[8]

Turku Province, including Åland

Melchior von Falkenberg [fi; sv] 1641–1642^[8]
Knut Lilliehöök [fi; sv] 1642–1646^[9]

Pori Province

Two governors were appointed, but neither assumed the post.^[2]

Turku and Pori Province, including Åland

Knut Lilliehöök [fi; sv] 1647–1648
Lorentz Creutz the Elder 1649–1655^[10]
Erik von der Linde [fi; sv] 1655–1666
Ernest Johann Creutz [fi; sv] 1666^[11]
Harald Oxe [fi] 1666–1682
Lorenz Creutz the Younger [fi; sv] 1682–1698
Jakob Bure [fi; sv] 1698–1706
Justus von Palmberg [fi] 1706–1714
Johan Stiernstedt [fi] 1714–1722 (acting 1711–1713)
Otto Reinhold Yxkull [fi; sv] 1722–1746
Lars Johan Ehrenmalm [fi; sv] 1747–1749 (acting 1744–1747)
Johan Georg Lillienberg 1749–1757
Jeremias Wallén [fi; sv] 1757–1769
Christoffer Johan Rappe [fi; sv] 1769–1776
Fredrik Ulrik von Rosen [fi; sv] 1776–1781
Magnus Wilhelm Armfelt [fi; sv] 1782–1790
Joakim von Glan [fi] (acting 1789–1790)^[12]
Ernst Gustaf von Willebrand [fi; ru] 1790–1806
Olof Wibelius [fi; sv] (acting 1801–1802)^[13]
Knut von Troil [fi; sv; ru] 1806–1809
Otto Reinhold Meurman (acting governor over Åland 1808–1809)^[14]

Grand Duchy of Finland

Turku and Pori Province, including Åland

Knut von Troil [fi; sv; ru] 1809–1816^[15]
Otto Herman Lode (acting 1811–1813)
Carl Erik Mannerheim 1816–1826
Lars Gabriel von Haartman (acting 1820–1822)
Eric Wallenius 1826–1828 (acting 1822–1826)
Adolf Broberg 1828–1831
Lars Gabriel von Haartman 1831–1842 (acting 1820–1822)
Gabriel Anton Cronstedt 1842–1856 (acting 1840–1842)
Samuel Werner von Troil (acting 1856)
Carl Fabian Langenskiöld 1856–1858
Selim Mohamed Ekbom (acting 1857–1858)
Johan Axel Cedercreutz 1863 (acting 1858–1863)
Carl Magnus Creutz 1866–1889 (acting 1864–1866)
Axel Gustaf Samuel von Troil 1889–1891
Wilhelm Theodor von Kraemer 1891–1903
Theodor Hjalmar Lang 1903–1905
Knut Gustaf Nikolai Borgenström 1905–1911
Eliel Ilmari Wuorinen 1911–1917

Independent Finland^[2]

Turku and Pori Province

Albert Alexander von Hellens (acting 1917)
Kaarlo Collan 1918–1922 (acting 1917–1918)^[16]
Ilmari Helenius 1922–1932
Wilho Kyttä 1932–1949
Erkki Härmä 1949–1957^[17]
Esko Kulovaara 1957–1971
Sylvi Siltanen 1972–1977^[18]
Paavo Aitio 1977–1985^[19]
Pirkko Työläjärvi 1985–1997^[20]

Notes

^ Finnish: Turun ja Porin lääni, Swedish: Åbo och Björneborgs län, Russian: Або-Бьёрнеборгская губерния. In Finnish contexts, lääni or län is usually translated as 'province', while in Swedish contexts, län is usually translated as 'county'.^[1]

References

^ Country Compendium: A companion to the English Style Guide. European Union. May 2025. pp. 45, 145.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 131, 159.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Åbo och Björneborgs län". Uppslagsverket Finland. 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
^ Haapala & Toivo 2007, p. 82.
^ Tiihonen 1984, pp. 142–143.
^ "New regional administration model abolishes provinces in 2010". Helsingin Sanomat International Edition. Sanoma Corporation. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
^ Nordisk familjebok. Vol. 24. Stockholm: Aktiebolaget Familjebokens Förlag. 1916. p. 22. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Melchior Falkenberg". sok.riksarkivet.se. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ "Lilliehöök, Lilliehök, Lilliehööck. Lilljehöök, släkt - Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon". sok.riksarkivet.se. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ "BLF". www.blf.fi. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ Nordisk familjebok (in Swedish). Vol. 5. Stockholm: Aktiebolaget Familjebokens Förlag. 1906. p. 860. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ Kotivuori, Yrjö (2005). "Joakim von Glan". Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1640–1852. University of Helsinki. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
^ Kotivuori, Yrjö (2005). "Olof af Wibeli". Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1640–1852. University of Helsinki. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
^ Autio, Veli-Matti (2005). "Meurman (1600 - )". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
^ Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 164.
^ Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 168–169.
^ "Härmä, Erkki". itsenaisyys100.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ Suomen keskushallinnon historia: 1809-1996 (in Finnish). Edita. 1996. p. 726. ISBN 978-951-37-1976-0. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ "Paavo Aitio". www.eduskunta.fi. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ "Pirkko Työläjärvi". www.eduskunta.fi. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

Sources

Lääninhallinto 350 vuotta / Länsförvaltningen 350 år (in Finnish and Swedish). Helsinki: Sisäasiainministeriö / Inrikesministeriet. 1986. ISBN 951-46-8896-1.
Tiihonen, Seppo (1984). Suomen hallintohistoria (in Finnish). Helsinki: Valtion Painatuskeskus. ISBN 951-9314-32-6.
Haapala, Pertti; Toivo, Raisa Maria (2007). Suomen historian kartasto (in Finnish). Helsinki: Karttakeskus. ISBN 978-951-593-029-3.

60°27′06″N 22°16′12″E / 60.4517°N 22.2700°E / 60.4517; 22.2700

[2] Finnish: Turun ja Porin lääni, Swedish: Åbo och Björneborgs län, Russian: Або-Бьёрнеборгская губерния. In Finnish contexts, lääni or län is usually translated as 'province', while in Swedish contexts, län is usually translated as 'county'.^[1]

[1] Country Compendium: A companion to the English Style Guide. European Union. May 2025. pp. 45, 145.

[FOOTNOTELääninhallinto1986131,_159-3] Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 131, 159.

[:0-4] "Åbo och Björneborgs län". Uppslagsverket Finland. 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2025.

[FOOTNOTEHaapalaToivo200782-5] Haapala & Toivo 2007, p. 82.

[FOOTNOTETiihonen1984142–143-6] Tiihonen 1984, pp. 142–143.

[7] "New regional administration model abolishes provinces in 2010". Helsingin Sanomat International Edition. Sanoma Corporation. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.

[8] Nordisk familjebok. Vol. 24. Stockholm: Aktiebolaget Familjebokens Förlag. 1916. p. 22. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[melk-9] "Melchior Falkenberg". sok.riksarkivet.se. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[10] "Lilliehöök, Lilliehök, Lilliehööck. Lilljehöök, släkt - Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon". sok.riksarkivet.se. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[11] "BLF". www.blf.fi. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[12] Nordisk familjebok (in Swedish). Vol. 5. Stockholm: Aktiebolaget Familjebokens Förlag. 1906. p. 860. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[13] Kotivuori, Yrjö (2005). "Joakim von Glan". Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1640–1852. University of Helsinki. Retrieved 30 August 2025.

[14] Kotivuori, Yrjö (2005). "Olof af Wibeli". Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1640–1852. University of Helsinki. Retrieved 30 August 2025.

[15] Autio, Veli-Matti (2005). "Meurman (1600 - )". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 30 August 2025.

[FOOTNOTELääninhallinto1986164-16] Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 164.

[FOOTNOTELääninhallinto1986168–169-17] Lääninhallinto 1986, pp. 168–169.

[18] "Härmä, Erkki". itsenaisyys100.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[19] Suomen keskushallinnon historia: 1809-1996 (in Finnish). Edita. 1996. p. 726. ISBN 978-951-37-1976-0. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[20] "Paavo Aitio". www.eduskunta.fi. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[21] "Pirkko Työläjärvi". www.eduskunta.fi. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

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[1]

v t e Former provinces of Finland
In parentheses are years when provinces were established and disestablished.
1634–1775	Turku and Pori (1634) Nyland and Tavastehus (1634) Ostrobothnia (1634–1775) Viborg and Nyslott (1634–1721) Kexholm (1634–1721) Kymmenegård and Nyslott (1721–1747) Savolax and Kymmenegård (1747–1775)
1775–1831	Turku and Pori (1634) Nyland and Tavastehus (1634–1831) Vaasa (1775) Oulu (1775) Kymmenegård (1775–1831) Savolax and Karelia (1775–1831) Viipuri (1812)
1831–1918	Turku and Pori (1634) Vaasa (1775) Oulu (1775) Viipuri (1812) Häme (1831) Uusimaa (1831) Mikkeli (1831) Kuopio (1831)
1918–1997	Turku and Pori (1634–1997) Vaasa (1775–1997) Oulu (1775) Viipuri (1812–1945) Häme (1831–1997) Uusimaa (1831–1997) Mikkeli (1831–1997) Kuopio (1831–1997) Åland (1918) Petsamo (1921–1921) Lapland (1938) Kymi (1945–1997) Central Finland (1960–1997) Northern Karelia (1960–1997)
1997–2009	Oulu (1775–2009) Åland (1918–2009) Lapland (1938–2009) Southern Finland (1997–2009) Western Finland (1997–2009) Eastern Finland (1997–2009)
Related	Historical provinces

Authority control databases
International	VIAF WorldCat
National	United States Israel
Other	IdRef Yale LUX

Turku and Pori Province

Maps

Municipalities in 1997 (cities in bold)

Former municipalities (disestablished before 1997)

Governors

Swedish realm

North and South Finland Province, including Åland

Turku Province, including Åland

Pori Province

Turku and Pori Province, including Åland

Grand Duchy of Finland

Turku and Pori Province, including Åland

Independent Finland[2]

Turku and Pori Province

Notes

References

Sources

Independent Finland^[2]