Story
The territory of modern Turku in the 12th century. was conquered by the descendants of the Swedish Vikings. Since 1229, Turku has been the residence of a bishop, and in 1525 it received city status from King Gustav Basa. Gustav II Adolf, having opened the first gymnasium here in 1630, laid the spiritual foundations for the first Finnish university. In 1809, Finland was annexed to Russia. After Finland gained independence in 1918, a new (private) Swedish university (Abo Academy) was opened in Turku, and in 1920 a state Finnish one (Turku Academy) was opened. Turku is the only Finnish member of the New Hansa. In 2004, when Turku celebrated its 775th anniversary, the city hosted Hansa Days.
For a long time, the city was a center for shipbuilding, including icebreakers. Many enterprises in the electronics, food, pharmaceutical and mechanical engineering industries operate here, and congresses are held: Turku is a major scientific center for computer and biological research.
Sights of Turku
Market Square
The main transport interchange in Turku is the Market Square (Kauppatori) on the northern shore of Aurajoki. On weekdays until 14.00 there is brisk trade here. The Market Square is home to the Swedish Theater (1838), the historic market building, the glass-roofed Hansa shopping center and the Orthodox Church (circa 1840).
Art Museum
From the market, the busy Aurakatu Street leads north-west to the Art Museum (Taidemuseo) with a rich collection of paintings and graphics - mainly by Finnish artists. Opening hours: Tue.-Fri. 11.00-19.00, Sat., Sun. 11.00-17.00.
Pharmacy Museum
Where Aurakatu crosses Aurajoki, a pharmacy museum was installed in the oldest wooden building in the city (restored 1957). Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 10.00-18.00, other times Tue-Sun 10.00-15.00.
Cathedral
South of the river is Cathedral Square. On Unikankari Hill there is a massive late-Romanesque brick building with a 98-meter tower, Gothic and Renaissance extensions are later. This is the main Lutheran church in Finland. The national shrine was completed in 1230 and consecrated in 1300 in honor of the Virgin Mary and the first bishop of Finland, St. Henrika. After the fire of 1827, the cathedral was completely restored. There are many stone tombstones and memorial plaques in the church. Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 9.00-20.00, in winter until 19.00.
Sibelius Museum
To the north of the cathedral is the Sibelius Museum. Along with materials about the composer's life, hundreds of musical instruments from all over the world are exhibited here. Opening hours: Tue.-Sun. 11.00-16.00, Wed. also 18.00-20.00.
Museum "Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova"
In the center of Turku, on the banks of the Aura River, in the former palace of the tobacco manufacturer Retting, two excellent museums have been opened: Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. The Aboa Vetus Museum of Archeology and History (its main exhibition is a medieval city quarter) gets along well with the Ars Nova Museum of Contemporary Art. The original museum project received second prize in 1999 as the most interesting museum in Europe. In the basement hall, the results of excavations are exhibited - objects from the 14th century, which perfectly complement the idea of medieval Turku. The main part of the Ars Nova Museum is the collection of the Matti Koivurinta Foundation. Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 9.00-20.00, in winter until 19.00.
University
Abo Academy (Abo Academy) is the only university in Finland where teaching is conducted in Swedish (founded in 1918). In front of its building there is a bronze monument to the Swedish governor in Finland and the founder of the university, Count Peru Brahe. The author of the monument is V. Runeberg (1888).
Capitta Park
From Cathedral Square, Uudenmaankatu Street leads southeast to Kapittaa Park. Here we will find a swimming pool and the spring of St. Henrik, who baptized the first Finnish Christians with water from this spring.
Crafts Museum
The fire of 1827 destroyed most of Turku, sparing only the Luostarinmäki quarter on the southern slope of Vartiovuori Hill. This unique neighborhood features historic wooden houses, low covered courtyards and winding alleys. Today the entire quarter is a crafts museum (Kasityolaismuseo). The ancient houses have workshops where artisans work every day in the summer, just as their ancestors once did 200 years ago. Some have arts and crafts shops. Here anyone will find truly unique things that cannot be bought anywhere else. Visitors to the museum get acquainted with the national crafts of Finland, and, if they are hungry, they can try their hand at being a single medieval artisan under the guidance of an experienced craftsman. Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 10.00-18.00, other times Tue-Sun 10.00-15.00.
Biological Museum
On Sampanlinna Hill there is an open-air theater and an old windmill. Nearby, the Biological Museum displays the flora and fauna of Finland. Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 10.00-18.00, other times Tue.-Thu. 10.00-15.00.
Aaltonen Museum
To the west of the Biological Museum is the museum of the Finnish sculptor Väine Aaltonen, which was opened in the fall of 1967. It was conceived during Aaltonen’s lifetime, and built according to the design of Matti and Irma Aaltonen. Opening hours: Tue.-Sun. 10.00-19.00.
Maritime Center
Not far from the port and the castle is the maritime center Forum Marinum, where a maritime museum is opened, archives, collections and a whole fleet of historical ships are presented there - you can see them in the summer. Thousands of exhibits can be viewed using new interactive computer technology. Opening hours: May-Sept. daily 11.00-19.00, other times Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00.
Turku Castle
To the west of the Maritime Center on the right bank of the Aurajoki, the powerful Turku Castle (Turun linna), one of the most remarkable medieval Finnish castles, is firmly rooted in the ground, and was heavily damaged by bombing in 1941. After the war, until 1961, restoration work was carried out in the castle. The fortress was apparently built in the 1280s, and under Gustav Vas it was significantly expanded. In 1556, Gustav Vasa appointed his second son, Duke Johan, governor of Finland. Having settled in Turku Castle, Johan rebuilds it into a Renaissance palace. Later, the palace became the place of imprisonment of King Eric XIV, who openly conflicted with his younger brother. Today, the halls of the palace display antique clothing and toys, glass, porcelain, gold and silver items. The castle church has a fine collection of medieval wooden sculptures, and an exhibition in the fortress courtyard is dedicated to the history of the city. Opening hours: midday Apr.-Ser. Sep. daily 10.00-18.00, other times Mon. 14.00-19.00, Tue.-Sun. 10.00-15.00.
Surroundings of Turku
Skerries
On the territory of the world's largest archipelago, Turku (at least 20 thousand islands and islets), there are fourteen communes and the city of Parainen. Most of the islands are very tiny, rocky and uninhabited. In total, about 20 thousand people live on them, but in the summer their number increases several times, primarily due to summer residents. Every day, pleasure boats ply between the islands of the archipelago, making “mini-cruises” along the skerries.
Lieto
About 15-20 km northeast of Turku - near the train station in Lieto - the most beautiful rapids on Aurajoki formed in Nautelankoski. The river and its banks are located in a nature conservation zone, but it is not forbidden to get acquainted with the area: you can follow the hiking trail (the length of the route is 1.5 km).
Ruissalo Island
In the southwest of Turku (bus) lies the island of Ruissalo, connected to the city by a bridge. The island is a magnificent park with camping, golf and miniature golf courses and beautiful beaches. Here you can ride horses and water ski.
Usikaupunki
Usikaupunki is a seaport in a picturesque bay north of Turku. The city is home to the northernmost automobile plant in the world, founded in 1968 by the Finnish company Valmet and the Swedish Saab-Scania. In 1997, Valmet began assembling Porsche Boxster roadsters.
Museums
In the 19th century Usikaupunki had the second largest merchant fleet in the country. Exhibits from that time are on display in the Historical Museum (Ylinenkatu 11), the Sailor's House Museum (Myllymaki Hill) and the Pilot Museum (Vallimaki Hill). Opening hours: daily in summer. 11.00-15.00, Sat., Sun. 12.00-15.00.
The Automotive Museum (Autotehtaankatu 14) displays a collection of Saab cars, including valuable vintage cars. Opening hours: June-Aug. daily 10.00-18.00, other times 11.00-17.00.
The road to the Boik Museum (Siltakatu 2) from the Market Square goes along the bridge over the bay. In the old Dynamo center, machines are exhibited - creations on the border between art and business, reality and imagination, the explanatory texts for which are very funny. Children can take part in the construction of a huge Time Machine. Opening hours: June-Aug. daily 10.00-18.00, other times Mon.-Fri. 10.00-16.00.
Church in Pyhäma
About 25 km north of Usikaupunki in Pyhamaa there is a unique wooden church of victims. It is notable for its ceiling and wall paintings (1667). Opening hours: June-September. Aug. Mon.-Sat. 11.00-17.00, Sun. after the service until 17.00.
When to go
The best time to go to Turku is in July to visit the Medieval Fair (it is also the warmest month).
Excursions to the skerries
Circular route through the archipelago
The circular route along the skerries is an ideal opportunity to independently get to know the world of the islands around Turku. Signs “Saariston Rengastie” and “Skargardens Ringveg” will help you not to get lost. The 200 km long route starts and ends in Turku. It passes over twelve bridges and eight ferry crossings. By car you can travel around the entire archipelago in just a day. Those who don’t want to travel around the archipelago alone can contact a travel agency and book a trip along one of the stages of the route. Length of one-day stage: 25-40 km.
Travel by boat
On the nostalgic sea steamer "Ukkopekka" you can take a sightseeing tour of the archipelago. In summer, the ship runs between Turku and Naantali twice a day (departure from Turku: 10.00 and 14.00).
Holidays
Ruisrock
Every year at the end of June and beginning of July, the largest rock festival in Finland is held on the island of Ruissalo. About the festival program and dates on the website: www.ruisrock.fi
Medieval market
In the second half of July, the Old Market of Turku turns into a theatrical stage for several days, where medieval performances are performed. Performances by shpilmans, knightly processions, a crafts fair, hundreds of actors in bright historical costumes - and a complete illusion that you found yourself in a medieval city!
Christmas in Turku
Since the end of November the city has been a Christmas fairy tale. The banks of the river are brightly lit, specialized exhibitions are open in museums, and Christmas concerts begin in churches. At the Old Market on weekends there are cheerful Christmas markets where arts and crafts are sold, and tables with Christmas gifts are set up in the fortress.
Turku(Finnish Turku [ˈturku]) or Abo (Swedish Åbo; in modern Swedish pronounced as Obu [ˈoːbu]) is a city and port in southwestern Finland, the administrative center of the province of Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish Varsinais-Suomi Russian. Original Finland). The city is located at the confluence of the Aurajoki River (Finnish: Aurajoki) into the Archipelago Sea. Number of inhabitants as of January 31, 2010: 176,242; fifth most populous in Finland. Taking into account the suburbs, at the end of 2007 it was the third urban agglomeration in the country (303,492 people) after Helsinki and Tampere. The city is officially bilingual, Swedish is the native language for 5.2% of the population. Turku is considered the gateway to the West. The city has a major port and ferry connections to the Åland Islands and Stockholm. Turku Airport is the fifth largest and second largest airport in Finland. Turku is known as a cultural center. The city, together with Tallinn, was elected European Capital of Culture 2011.
Traditionally, Turku is considered a “Christmas city”: every year at Christmas, a large number of cultural events and activities are organized.
Name
The Swedish name is Åbo ([ˈoːbu]) consists of two words: å (Russian river) and bo (Russian live) and is translated as living along the river.
The Finnish name Turku ([ˈturku]) is etymologically related to the Old Russian targ (currently - bargaining). From the same source, the Swedish torg, which gave its name to the Finnish tori. All these words mean a place of trade, a market.
Story
Middle Ages
The beginning of the history of Turku is often associated with the name of Pope Gregory IX dated January 23, 1229. The letter gives permission to move the residence of the Finnish bishop to a more suitable location. Obviously this meant a transfer from Nousiainen to Koroinen. The Aura River valley was prosperous and quite densely populated back in the Iron Age, so it is not surprising that the center of supreme power was moved here. The construction of the cathedral began after 1250 on its current location. The present city was formed at the end of the 13th century a little downstream of Koroinen along the river. Apparently the founding of the city is connected with the founding of the Dominican order by the Swedish king and bishop. The exact date of foundation is not known, no records have survived. Built on a bend in the river, the Cathedral was consecrated in 1300. The bishop's residence was moved after the death of Bishop Kalitus in 1286. The first mention of the city in documents is in 1270, when the bishop mentions the name Aboensis. Obviously, the city already existed then. In 1280, construction began on the Obus fortress. In 1318, the Novgorodians burned the city, but after peace was concluded, the city began to be rebuilt. It received city rights in the 1290s, but only after 1309 there is a document in which Abo is called a city: universitas ciuitatis Aboensis, that is, the city society witnessed the election of a bishop in the new cathedral. Since that time, the seal and coat of arms of the city have been known.
The bourgeois sought the right to live, engage in crafts and trade in the city. The town hall, which issues rights and governs the city, is mentioned for the first time in 1324. The city grew spontaneously, starting from the Cathedral, where German colonists settled, and after some time reached Mätäjärvi. Further, the city grew in a more orderly manner between Kroopi and Sentinel Mountain. The center of the city is a long square from the river to the town hall. Only at the end of the Middle Ages did the western bank of the Aura become settled. The first bridge is mentioned in 1414. The area of the city is slightly more than 20 hectares. The bishop's residence and the Dominican monastery made Turku a religious and educational center in the Middle Ages. Medieval Turku is also a bustling trading and shipping center. It was the largest in Finland and one of the largest cities in the Kingdom of Sweden.
Turku Castle
Turku Castle begins to be built no later than 1280 for the appointed prefect of Finland, Charles (Finnish: Kaarle Kustaanpoika). Despite the protection of the castle, the city was repeatedly raided and looted. The largest of them was carried out in 1318 by the Novgorodians, and in 1509 and 1522 by the Danes.
In 1323, the Treaty of Orekhovsk was concluded, which established the boundaries between the Novgorod land and the Kingdom of Sweden. Clashes with the Novgorod Republic stopped and from these years the city began to flourish. The city's entry into the Hanseatic League dates back to this period.
In 1409, Turku began minting its own money, which differed in value from that used in Sweden.
From the 1500s to the end of Swedish rule
In 1628, King Gustav Adolf of Sweden established a gymnasium, which in 1640, through the efforts of Count Per Brahe, was transformed into a university - the Royal Abo Academy.
In 1713, during the Great Northern War, Peter I began military operations in Finland and on August 28, Russian troops under the command of Peter I and Admiral General Count Apraksin occupied Turku, the capital of Finland. The troops held the city until the end of the war in 1721.
During the Russian-Swedish war of 1741-1743, Russian troops under the command of Count Bruce occupied Turku on September 8, 1742. They founded a shipyard in the city. After the conclusion of the Peace of Abo, which ended the war, Russian troops occupied the city.
In February 1808, Russia and Sweden went to war again. Already on March 10, the troops of General Dmitry Shepelev occupied Turku. According to the Treaty of Fredericksburg, signed in 1809, Finland became part of Russia.
Grand Duchy of Finland
Turku retained its importance as the capital of the country until 1817, when the Finnish Senate was transferred to Helsinki (Helsingfors). After this, Turku (in Russian the Swedish name Abo was used) became the provincial city of the Abo-Bjorneborg province. It was the terminus of the Toiala-Turku branch of the Finnish railway, and also remained the seat of the governor, the Lutheran archbishop, foreign consuls, and the chamber of justice (Hofratt, from 1623).
In 1827, a huge fire occurred in Turku, which almost completely destroyed the city. After the fire it was built according to a new plan, with straight, wide streets; The houses are low, almost entirely made of stone. The suburbs spread to Lille-Heikkilä, Kuppis (the healing spring of St. Heinrich, the water of which, according to legend, the first Finns converted to Christianity were baptized), Karina and Stor-Heikkilä. Also, after the fire, the university was moved to Helsinki.
In 1851, the steam frigate Rurik, built for the Naval crew of the Grand Duchy of Finland, was launched in Turku.
According to 1880, the city's population was: Finns - 53.6%, Swedes - 41.9%.
Independent Finland
In the civil war that began shortly after Finland gained independence, Turku, like all major cities, was in the hands of the “reds”. The war, however, was fleeting, and by the spring of 1918 the Reds had retreated from the city.
In 1918, the Swedish-language university Abo Academy and the Finnish-language University of Turku were re-established.
In 1932, the battleship Väinämöinen was launched at the Creighton-Vulcan shipyard in Turku.
During the Winter War and the Soviet-Finnish War of 1941-1944, the city suffered from USSR bombing. Turku Castle was also damaged, and its surroundings and the Martti area were almost completely razed to the ground.
During the Winter War, the Soviet Union dropped about 4,000 bombs on Turku, of which over 600 buildings were damaged. The bombing killed 52 people and injured 151. Turku was the second most bombed city after Vyborg.
After the end of the war, the President and Commander-in-Chief of Finland, Gustav Mannerheim, had the idea to move the capital from Helsinki to Turku, since after the Moscow Armistice in 1944, Finland was obliged to lease the Porkkala Peninsula and its surroundings to the USSR in exchange for Cape Hanko, which is only 17 km from Helsinki .
Timezone
The city of Turku, like the whole of Finland, is located in a time zone designated by international standard as Eastern European Time (EET). The offset from UTC is +2:00 (winter time) / +3:00 (summer time) due to daylight saving time in this time zone.
City layout
The Aurajoki River, one of the largest in Finland, divides the city into two parts - northern and southern. The banks are connected by seven bridges. In the lower reaches of the river, where a bridge would interfere with navigation, the free ferry Föri (Finnish: Föri) carries pedestrians and cyclists across.
Economy
In the Kupittaa area there is a high technology center - Turku Technopark.
Port
The port of Turku is the oldest in Finland, it was mentioned by the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi in 1154 in the book Kitab Rudyar. The port is located on the shores of the Archipelago Sea to the west of the city center. Over 4 million tons of cargo and over 4 million passengers pass through the port annually. The port is the only one in the country to accept train ferries.
Transport
Turku is a major transport hub in Finland. The city intersects highways and railways, has large sea and river ports, as well as an airport. The basis of the road network is the E18 Turku-Helsinki highway (and further to St. Petersburg); Turku-Hämeenlinna, Turku-Tampere and Turku-Rauma-Pori. The city is connected to neighboring areas by the ring road (40) and the Turku-Naantali road. The E-18 highway leads through the port to Sweden and Norway. The new master plan (2000) closes the idea of moving the port to Pansio as irrational. To expand the airport building, the Air Transport Administration has drawn up a project that makes it possible to increase the volume of new construction in accordance with the new general plan of the city. The Turku-Helsinki railway was electrified for high-speed train service at the end of 1995.
The construction of new highways became part of the Turku master plan (2000). The Turku Ring Road has been partially put into operation. The Helsinginkatu development plan is being implemented, which will allow the construction of a new bridge over the Aura River between Hämeentie and Aninkaistensilta. After construction is completed, freight transport will bypass the center. The development of rail transport is also envisaged in the future. Outside the city center there is a developed network of paths for cyclists and pedestrians, but inside the “chessboard” their arrangement poses certain difficulties. Paths for light transport are laid mainly in green areas.
Urban
Urban transport is handled by the Turku Public Transport Bureau (Finnish: Turun joukkoliikennetoimisto), located on the Market Square. Turku public transport is by bus. The bus network is developed, the schedule is observed. The main transport interchange in the city is the shopping area (Finnish: kauppatori), where almost all buses arrive.
To stop the required regular bus on the highway, the passenger gives the driver an indicating sign with his hand (raises his hand). Inside the bus, the passenger presses the red “stop” button in advance (the buttons are located above the seats or on metal handrails) to stop the transport. In Finland, it is customary to sit while traveling in public transport. Front seats (behind the driver) are usually reserved for the elderly and people with disabilities.
A ticket (Finnish: kertalippu) costs €2.50, is valid for 2 hours and allows you to travel on different bus routes. The cost of a daily pass for 24 hours (Finnish matkailulippu) is 5.50 euros. There is a system of discounts.
Automotive
In the central part of the city there is a bus station (Finnish: linja-autoasema), from which intercity buses depart. An international bus runs daily to St. Petersburg via Helsinki.
Payment for travel is carried out both at the bus station and directly from the driver (or cashier working on the line). The passenger tells the driver his destination (or stop). When purchasing a round-trip ticket (Finnish: meno-paluu), a discount is given (the return ticket is valid for 30 calendar days).
Railway
Turku Railway Station (Finnish: Turun rautatieasema) is a major transport hub. It is located near the historical center and connects the city with all the largest settlements in Finland. Transportation is carried out by VR. Passenger trains arriving at Turku railway station from other cities then proceed to the port of Turku, to ferries to Stockholm.
Nautical
From the port of Turku (Finnish: Turun satama) ferries run daily to Stockholm and to the Åland Islands to Mariehamn and Långnäs. Passenger transportation is carried out by ferries of the Silja Line (Silja Europa departure in the evening, M/S Galaxy - in the morning) and Viking Line (M/S Isabella - in the evening, M/S Amorella - in the morning) and SeaWind Line.
Airport
Turku Airport (Finnish: Turun lentoasema) is located 8 km north of the central part of the city. Bus No. 1 runs from the shopping area to the airport. In addition to domestic flights, there are flights to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga and Gdansk.
Attractions
The oldest city in Finland, rich in historical attractions. In the ancient Lutheran cathedral (Finnish: Tuomiokirkko; Swedish: Domkyrkan) there are choirs with an altarpiece by the Swedish painter Westin and frescoes by Ekman, tombstone chapels of famous figures with paintings on glass by Vladimir Sverchkov, and also a magnificent sarcophagus of the Swedish queen Katharina Monsdotter (d. 1612) built in 1865 ). Small, but original in architecture and beautifully decorated inside, the Orthodox cathedral is decorated with icons by the Finnish artist Gidetelm. The university building, then the governor's house, is remarkable for its hall with six high reliefs by the Swedish sculptor Kaimberg.
Attractions include the ancient Turku Castle and the sailing frigate Suomen Joutsen. Also in Turku is the Luostarinmäki Craft Museum.
Events held in Turku
In 2003 and 2009, the international sailing regatta The Tall Ships Race visited the city.
On the island of Ruissalo, the rock festival Ruisrock is held annually in the summer. In 2010 he celebrated his fortieth birthday.
Abo Castle is a fortress located in the city of Turku, Finland. It is one of the most unusual and ancient castles in the country. It has many variations of its name. Turku Castle or Abo Castle is located at the mouth of the Aurajoki River. He played an important role in the history of Sweden and even other European countries. Its construction began back when Finland belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden.
Scientists and historians who have examined the castle believe that the construction of the castle was based on examples from Gotland. The primary material for construction was fairly reliable and durable granite, and later it was replaced by brick. Initially, by order of the Swedish king, a fortified camp was to be erected on the site of the future castle. But due to military operations and the influence of modern times, the castles lost their former power and significance. They began to be increasingly used as prisons or storage facilities.
The castle began to take on a more modern appearance during the reign of Gustav I Vasa. Today, the castle is a unique monument to the history of Finland. Now on the territory of the castle there is a museum that tells about the castle and the history of Finland, from ancient centuries to the 19th century.
The castle chapel is very popular among honeymooners, and Turku's magnificent and unique halls are often rented out for all sorts of grand events.
Turku Cathedral
Paradoxical as it may seem, the main Lutheran church in Finland, standing on the banks of the Aurajoki River, has been Catholic for three centuries. It began to be built at the end of the 13th century, and was periodically completed throughout the 14th–17th centuries. There is evidence that even fragments of medieval masonry have been preserved.
The fact is that in the middle of the 19th century a terrible fire broke out in Turku and the cathedral burned almost to the ground. Naturally, it was restored, and has stood ever since.
Residents of Finland greatly revere this temple. The ringing of its bells is broadcast on the radio, and all holiday festivities begin with the ringing of the bells at Christmas. A museum is opened at the church, telling about more than 700 years of the history of the Cathedral. It houses exhibits from the 14th century, various wooden and stone sculptures, a collection of clothing and dishes - in general, everything that was saved in the fire.
In addition, various Finnish military leaders, bishops, and aristocracy are buried near the cathedral. Queen Katharina Monsdotter found peace there. The Cathedral today is the residence of the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
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Crafts Museum
Luostarinmäki Crafts Museum is a unique museum. Its exclusivity lies in the fact that all the buildings and houses on its territory are real. Craftsmen actually lived and worked in them in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Crafts Museum is located in the city of Turku, in the open air. It was opened on June 29, 1940. The museum has 18 blocks, in which there are authentic wooden houses - living quarters and craft workshops. Looking around these premises, you can see how the artisans of the century before last lived and worked: their customs, way of life, their jobs and the things they used. Interesting houses include a watchmaker's workshop, a sailor's house and a tobacco manufacturer's house.
The museum also has its own post office and a store where you can buy handicrafts, as well as sweets made according to ancient recipes.
Every year, at the end of August, Craft Week is held here. And she is famous on a global scale. Also, the Luostarinmäki Crafts Museum received a well-deserved award for its uniqueness - in 1984 it was awarded the international tourism prize “Golden Apple”.
The Archipelago Sea (Finnish: Saaristomeri, Swedish: Skä rgå rdshavet) is the part of the Baltic Sea between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland within Finnish territorial waters. It is the largest archipelago in terms of the number of islands it contains, although these islands are very small and grouped in a small area. The water area of the archipelago is shallow, with an average depth of about 23 meters. Most canals are not suitable for large ships.
Turku Airport
Turku is an ancient city in southwestern Finland, the fifth most populous in the country. Tourists are attracted here by numerous architectural attractions, including a thirteenth-century castle. Here you can visit the Moomin house, and in winter Turku becomes the Christmas capital of Finland.
Turku Airport is located eight kilometers from the city. It is part of a network of twenty-five airports operated by Finavia. The airport was opened in 1935 - it is the oldest passenger airport in Finland and one of the busiest in the country. Over the course of a year, more than 370 thousand people pass through the airport’s two passenger terminals. The length of the airport runway is two and a half kilometers.
In addition to Helsinki, regular flights connect Turku Airport with Riga, Stockholm and Copenhagen. In addition, there are seasonal flights to Budapest, as well as charter flights to Tenerife and Antalya. Bus route No. 1 departs from the city to the airport and back every twenty minutes. Car rental points are open at the airport.
Port of Turku
Port of Turku is a seaport in southwestern Finland in the city of Turku. The port is located at the confluence of the Aurajoki River into the Archipelago Sea (part of the Baltic Sea between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland). In the Middle Ages, the city, and with it the port, actively grew on the banks of the river. At first, the port received sailing ships, and since 1830, steam ships began to operate regular voyages from here. Turku was an important military port during the Crimean and later the First World War. During World War II, the navy was stationed here, and Turku is still the main base for the Finnish navy. Turku is constantly developing as a passenger and cargo port. Currently, there are five terminals on its territory: a container terminal, a road terminal, the “Eastern Land Bridge” - a transport corridor from Stockholm through Turku to Russia by rail, a warehouse terminal and the cruise port of Turku.
Kekar Island
Kekar Island is one of the most remote and populated islands that are part of the Åland archipelago. It stands out for its picturesque nature and several architectural monuments.
Tourists often visit Kekar for the opportunity to spend time in a comfortable campsite on the Baltic coast, ride bicycles along forest trails, explore local rocks and even sailing. The island is also recognized as the windiest and hottest (in summer) of all that are included in the archipelago, so such conditions are favorable for mastering this sport.
On the territory of Kekar Island there is a small port, near which there is a hotel. Other ferries constantly run from the pier, making excursion visits to the neighboring islands. You can rent one of the boats at the pier.
Kekar Island is called by many a paradise in the Finnish archipelago. There is an incredibly calm and relaxing atmosphere here, which at the same time encourages romantic exploits.
From ancient times, the island has the ruins of a Franciscan monastery, which was built in the 15th century, a church from the Middle Ages, a human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as the island’s museum.
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Aboah Vetus Museum
Initially, the palace of the former tobacco manufacturer was planned to be turned into a museum of modern art. However, the discovery of scientists has made its own adjustments and instead of works of art in the Art Nouveau style, a whole city of the early Middle Ages is revealed to tourists.
But no one intended to deprive the residents and guests of Turku of painting. Therefore, the museums were soon united into one complex. The Ars Nova hall houses a large collection (more than 500 exhibits) of contemporary Finnish and world art.
Those who want to touch the antiquity can explore the houses of the Monastic Quarter and even the entire Viking Street. Interestingly, archaeologists are still working on the territory of the museum, so the collection of antiquities is constantly being replenished.
The most popular attractions in Turku with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Turku on our website.
In this material we will tell you about the Finnish city of Turku. You will learn its history, what sights you can see, where you should go shopping and how to spend your leisure time interestingly and usefully. What attributes distinguish a European center with a long history? It is generally accepted that this is the market square, the Cathedral, an ancient castle and, of course, the embankment. This locality has all the listed structures. Also note that this is the ancient Finnish capital, which is located in the southwestern part of the country, where the Aurajoki River flows into the Baltic Sea. It is also one of the largest ports in Finland and a Finnish city of amazing beauty and atmosphere.
Although it is not famous for its special booklet of exclusive tourist sites, Turku has always been interesting and loved by visiting tourists. Life in this territory began to boil back in 1229, when the episcopal residence was moved here, and since then it has been in full swing in this region. From its founding until 1812, it was the capital of the country and this status was transferred to Helsinki by order of the Russian Tsar. The Emperor considered that it was necessary to make the Grand Duchy of Finland more independent from neighboring Sweden, and this action also involved moving the capital.
For a long time, there was rivalry between the two main cities of Finland, which subsided a little by the beginning of the 20th century. But Turku still competes for the title of second most important city. Although it is only the fifth in terms of population. It must be said that it harmoniously combines history and modernity. Do you want romance? Stroll through the medieval cobblestone streets of the Old Town. The famous Aurajoki River flows here, the name of which is translated as “plow”. This is the main waterway and we note that these parts are especially beautiful in the summer.
An old sailing ship called “Suomen Joutsen” or “Finnish swan” is moored along the shore. The date of its construction is 1902. On the shore, landscaped flower beds and benches are laid out for vacationers, and the Turku embankment can safely be considered the main street. In the very center, as befits ancient capitals, is the Old Square. For several days in June, local time seems to go back several centuries. These days there is a medieval fair on the old square. Even the selection of goods in the stalls corresponds to the assortment that was in demand in past centuries.
You will see fearless knights, jesters, numerous musicians, as well as rich tables with numerous goods. If you visit the craft quarter, you can watch how fresh beer is brewed. Interestingly, the four main buildings that form this square were built in different styles. These are the ancient Town Hall, Giuseluxento, Heltintalo and Brincalla. The last building is famous for the fact that from its balcony it is announced that Christmas is coming in Finland.
Photo: Kalajoki / Wikimedia Commons Turku Castle
One of the main local attractions can be considered Abo Castle. It should be noted that he played an important role not only in Finnish, but also in Swedish history. The atmosphere here is very peaceful and in this romantic place photo sessions take place and couples make dates. Inside the castle, exclusively medieval associations arise. It seems that you are about to meet a monk, a knight or another prominent representative of that distant era. This mood only confirms the skill of the talented restaurateurs who managed to revive this Castle. After all, it was repeatedly destroyed, and the most powerful of them was caused by Soviet aviation in 1941.
Photo: LarsLarsen / pixabay.com A visit to this place will help you get a complete picture of the former greatness of the ancient Finnish capital. Over the course of several centuries, the fortress was rebuilt and strengthened. In the mid-twentieth century it was restored and now it has acquired its true medieval face. It must be said that this historical object consists of two parts - the fortress itself and the household yard, the territory of which the historical museum occupies.
If you are interested in marine themes, you can visit the maritime museum Forum Marinum. Within its walls you can learn about the history of navigation and shipbuilding. In the early 90s of the last century, during renovation work, workers came across the ruins of an ancient quarter. This find was handed over to archaeologists, and then to restorers. Now the Aboa Vetus Museum is located on this site and tourists can look at the ancient streets and various artifacts found.
Cathedral
Medieval cities are proud of their cathedrals and Turku Cathedral is a witness to the numerous events that took place in this region over seven centuries. This is an architectural dominant and is visible from any part of the city. And also its main calling card is a 101-meter tower, which is placed on all souvenirs. Many famous personalities are buried in the cathedral. Now the temple belongs to the Finnish Lutheran Church and is the main temple in Finland. Services are accompanied by the 81st register authority.
The Jean Sibelius Museum is a must-see and is the only one of its kind. This will be quite interesting, both for music lovers and for those who have nothing special to do with music. If you haven’t been outdoors for a long time, we recommend visiting the Botanical Garden of the University of Turku. And if you are visiting here in July, then this place is included in the list of must-see events. At this time, a grandiose international rock music festival in nature is taking place on the island of Ruissalo.
Naantali
This city is located 15 kilometers from Turku and has been mentioned in many chronicles since the 15th century. It has architecture traditional for northern Europe and is decorated with amazingly beautiful carvings. Naantali is very beautiful in the summer and many tourists go to this resort with children. After all, an exciting adventure awaits little guests. The park of these fabulous creatures is located on the island and it is equipped exactly according to the drawings of the author of fairy tales, Tove Janson. There is a cave on the island in which fairy tale heroes escaped from a comet. Guests can try on a wizard's hat and try to type text on Moominpappa's typewriter. A large entertainment complex, which is reproduced with maximum reality.
Photo: www.moominworld.fi Turku is a typical modern Finnish city and many of its architectural highlights were destroyed by a devastating fire that occurred in 1827. But many modern features are the result of the efforts of local residents and architect Carl Engel, who rebuilt it almost from scratch. The ancient Finnish capital is famous for its restaurants and cafes. And you will meet real shopping gurus in the Hansa shopping center. It is a true shopping mecca and a popular holiday destination. If you want to know more detailed information, then in our next material we reviewed the most popular of them.
Even if you are against fast food, do not pass by the Hesburger fast food restaurant. This global chain, which seriously supplanted the famous McDonald's, was founded here. Today, the ancient capital of Finland is a large industrial and scientific center, and its infrastructure represents almost all branches of the country's industry. We would like to add that it is best to visit this region in the summer, because all the main cultural events are scheduled for this time of year. But even in winter there is something to do here.
After all, winter in Finland is a time for skiing, skating, winter fishing and, of course, Christmas, which is celebrated here on a special scale. Have you been to Turku yet? Then be sure to correct this gap, because this Finnish ancient capital is worth going there and falling in love with it. Moreover, according to statistical surveys, the happiest Finns live here. And happiness, in a good way, is contagious. In our next article we will tell you, which is located 260 kilometers from St. Petersburg and is very popular among Russian tourists.
It would seem, what new things can you discover in Finland, where literally every square centimeter has been trampled by the residents of St. Petersburg?
I managed to get to know the city of Turku - the oldest in Finland - from an unexpected side. What can an ordinary Russian tourist, going on a standard trip to the countries of Scandinavia and reading reviews about Turku, say about this city?
What to see in Turku?
Firstly, Turku is the largest port, located at the confluence of the Aura River into the Baltic Sea, which is impossible to pass. From here, from the Turku terminal, ferries sail and sail to Stockholm, from where crowds of tourists spread throughout Scandinavia and Europe. From its founding in 1229 until 1812, it was the capital of Finland, after which the capital was moved closer to Russia, to Helsinki. It changed hands many times – either to the Russians or to the Swedes. Street names are in two languages - Finnish and Swedish, children in many schools learn both languages, and in general the city is considered bilingual in Finland. The attractions of Turku are the sea, but they are hidden from members of tourist groups. Usually tourists are taken to the Cathedral, shown the Castle from afar, quickly transported by bus through the streets - and off to the ferry, closer to the beauties of Europe and Scandinavia!
Embankment of the Aura River in Turku
My trip to Turku was not a tourist trip, but a work trip. I can’t say anything new about Finnish hotels - a standard Holiday Inn, everything is good, an excellent buffet and unexpectedly Finns lightly covered with towels after a sauna in the elevator. But the cultural program was compiled by the Finnish side, so we were able to see Turku through the eyes of Finns. It was off-season - mid-November. Therefore, I will immediately make a reservation that Naantali town, which is located very nearby on the island, with its mummy-Troll world, we were not able to see, although this cult place is certainly a must-see. The Moomin House was created based on the drawings of the author of the world famous children's fairy tales - Tove Jansson. Here you can look at Moominpappa’s typewriter, and at the Wizard’s Hat, and at the cave in which the heroes hid from the comet, and at the Royal Ruby...
Turku embankment
Couldn't get into Loustarinmäki Crafts Museum, at this time of year it is closed. This museum is one of the most significant historical monuments of urban culture in Northern Europe. Located on Monastyrskaya Hill, in a unique historical quarter. There are 18 craftsmen's houses built before the Turku fire in 1827. These houses survived the fire and are preserved in their original places; more than 30 craft workshops are located in them. Here you can observe not only ancient traditions and the life of the townspeople, but also purchase traditional handmade Finnish souvenirs made right in front of you. Now we can take a breath, because we managed to see everything else planned by our Finnish colleagues.
Embankment in Turku
The Finns turned out to be not at all slow and calm, but on the contrary, collected, fast, sociable and very caring. First of all, we were advised to take a walk along the embankment of the Aura River. The walk turned out to be delightful - there were many ships moored along the embankment, on the banks there were charming wooden houses, houses in the Art Nouveau style (here it is called national romanticism) - very picturesque! If you walk towards the Castle, you can come across unusual modern art objects - either a fish tail monument sticking out of the water, or a giant daisy. And as a reward at the end of the walk - Abo Castle, the oldest in Finland - its construction began in 1280. It stands majestically on the lawn near the ferry terminal. Here you can see samples of ancient clothing, armor, weapons and luxurious dishes, church utensils, admire scenes of feasts and other entertainment, look into a terrible, damp dungeon in the basement, and admire small models of castles. Turku Castle is one of the symbols of the city.
Turku, castle.
Turku - museums
There are many museums and galleries of contemporary art in Turku. We visited three large museums (in fact, there were many more, but we didn’t have enough time to visit them all). The actual art museum , besides collections of Finnish fine art , struck me extraordinarily stylish and captivating video art. The show was accompanied by mysterious contemporary music played on the organ. Turku Cathedral. There was nothing unusual in the museum of the sculptor Aaltonen, ordinary temporary exhibitions, but at least! in the evening, an improvised concert hall was built there and a stunning concert of Finnish music took place, performed by a quintet of wind instruments. It was a wonderful concert, the musicians interacted lively with the audience, and it was also interesting to watch the bohemian Finnish audience.
Meeting of Emperor Alexander I with the Swedish King Karl Johan in 1812
The most amazing thing was the museum Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. It was planned to build the Ars Nova Museum of Contemporary Art on this site. During construction, at a depth of 7 meters, an entire medieval residential area was discovered and excavated! The project was changed, it was decided to preserve the quarter, take it under a roof and separate it into a separate Aboa Vetus museum. In 2004, these two museums were combined into one. Today, a museum visitor can walk through the streets of a medieval city and plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages - listen to the music of that time, play games, forge coins, collect stained glass... this is probably one of the most unusual museums in Finland.
Abo Vetus Museum
It is worth planning a leisurely walk around the city - look at the houses in the northern modern style (there are a great many of them in Turku), and be sure to walk through the indoor wooden market - here you can buy fish delicacies and have an inexpensive snack. Be sure to stop by the ultra-modern city library, which is unusual in architecture - it is a cultural center, a club, a concert hall, and... however, it is best to see all of the above with your own eyes. But Turku also has a pharmacy museum, a maritime museum, its own science park, and the Jean Sibelius Museum...
Turku - video overview of the city
The cozy wooden Lutheran church deserves special attention. Merimasku Church, not far from the city, with its soft-sounding organ and unusual interior decoration.
There was almost no time left for shopping in Turku, but it still happened. The stores were chosen, again on the advice of the Finns - I wanted to buy clothes from Finnish companies. It was found at reasonable prices in the Halonen department store and the Kapp Ahl store. In two hours of shopping, the suitcase was filled to the top with stylish and high-quality items. For lovers of stationery and other small joys, don’t miss Tiimari, what’s there...
Pedestrian street of Turku, shops
So go ahead, you can get to Turku bypassing the queues at the border by Sovavto regular bus or Allegro train with a transfer to Helsinki (trains to Turku go every hour). The sights of Turku, the port and walks will be remembered forever! Discover a new Finland!
Alena Glotova
Turku city map
And a few more photos of Turku:
Fish Tail Monument!
Fish rows in the indoor wooden market
November in Turku
