The red shore houses along the Porvoo River are Finland's most iconic image and one of the country's most photographed national landscapes. Most of these warehouses were built in the 1760s and served to store exotic goods transported up the river - tropical fruits, wine, spices, coffee, and tobacco. They were painted red ochre in the late 18th century to welcome King Gustav III, and the red paint also helped protect them from wind and sun. Today they house private residences, restaurants, and shops, their distinctive reflection in the river creating a postcard-perfect scene.