The town was chartered in 1649 at Koppö island and is named for Queen Christina of Sweden. Kristinestad is known for its old town with low wooden houses and narrow alleys. In April, 2011, Kristinestad became Finland's first Cittaslow community.
Named after Queen Kristina of Sweden, Kristinestad is, like many other towns on this coast, bilingual - some 58% of inhabitants are Swedish-speakers. Founded in the mid 17th century by the maverick count Per Brahe, the town rapidly became an important shipbuilding and trading centre. With the arrival of steamships, Kristinestad's importance declined, and many residents moved to Sweden
