Our Story

In the 13th century, the Salo market, bridge and guesthouse were built. A settlement developed around the guesthouse.

The name Salo first appears in the black book of Turku Cathedral in 1325, when Salo was the chapel of the parish of Uskela.

Halikko Bay (Halikon lahti) was a public sailing route. In addition, the intersection of Kuninkaantien and Hiidentie (roads) was in the parish. Although passing pedestrians stopped at the crooks of the Salo bridge, the centre of settlement shifted to the other side of the river. This is where the first shops, craftsmen and new residents settled.

Lauri, a blacksmith who lived in the 1680s, is considered to be the first inhabitant of Salo village.

When Salo was hit by the most shocking ordeal in its history, the Salo Fire, more than 130 years ago, the fire did not spread to the west of the river. However, in the spring of 1910, the buildings on the riverbank in the area of the old guesthouse were hit by a terrible catastrophe. At that time, the landslide that often occurred along the Salo riverbank occurred just above the bridge. The remaining buildings had to be demolished and moved elsewhere.

A park was designated in the zoning plan and named "Krouvin puisto" (Guest house). The tradition of the old guesthouse continues on the same site with the terrace of our restaurant Rikala and its river park, and the Original Sokos Hotel Rikala was built in 1985.

Rikala - it serves and cares - Finnish at heart.