Founded in 1442, Rauma is a charming historic town. The heart of the town, Old Rauma, is the most beautiful and largest preserved medieval wooden town area in the Nordic region. In 1991 the area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an example of Nordic wooden town construction. The buildings in the area date mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries and form a myriad of shops, complemented by an idyllic backdrop of wooden houses and lush gardens, a marketplace, and many historically and culturally significant sights. The Church of the Holy Cross, built in the 15th century, featuring medieval murals and frescoes is worth a visit.