Rauma town hall tower restored after rare mid-air decay risk

The 250-year-old tower of Rauma’s town hall has been fully restored after experts discovered parts of its structure were decayed to the point of being unsupported, according to a report by Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The renovation was critical, as rot had left sections of the tower effectively suspended in mid-air, risking collapse. Specialists stabilised the structure, repaired its historic bells, and forged a new spire from an old horse cart axle.

Decay left tower unstable
Before repairs, the tower swayed dangerously when climbed. “When a 100-kilogram man went up, I could rock the whole structure back and forth just by shifting my weight,” said structural engineer Simo-Pekka Valtonen. Inspections revealed that the base of the tower’s supporting pillars had completely rotted on two sides, leaving parts of the structure unsupported.

Woodworkers reinforced the frame while preserving much of the original timber. Temporary steel cables were installed to stabilise the upper sections during repairs. Traditional birch bark insulation—historically used in archipelago buildings—was added beneath the cladding to prevent moisture damage while allowing vapour to escape.

Bells and spire restored
The tower houses two sets of bells: a timekeeping clock with gilded copper hands and a bronze bell cast in 1774, predating the building’s completion. Both were secured during restoration. Acoustic analysis found the bronze bell rings in a rare major key (D major), unlike most church bells, which typically chime in minor keys.

The decorative finial, or spiira, posed a unique challenge. Cracked beyond safe repair, the original 18th-century iron spike was replaced with a new version hammered from a horse cart axle—a material chosen to match the historic metal. The original will be preserved in a museum.

Symbol of civic pride
Built in 1776 without initial permission, the tower was likely justified as a fire watchpoint but also served as a status symbol for the town’s administration. “A town hall without a tower would be like a cloudy day,” said Risto Kupari, director of Rauma’s museum and culture services, paraphrasing a Finnish proverb.

The restoration marks the building’s 250th anniversary, following its last major renovation 50 years ago. Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage site, now has its landmark tower stabilised for future generations.