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    Tourist Attractions in Turku

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Turku. Photos and a brief description.

    Turku
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    About Turku

    The Finnish city of Turku traces its history back to the XIII century. It is the oldest city in the country and its first capital. The Aura River, the sea expanses, an archipelago of several thousand islands, as well as an organic interweaving of historical and modern structures give a unique charm to Turku and its surroundings.

    Priceless architectural monuments include the national shrine — the majestic Cathedral, the Old Square, the medieval Abo Castle. The city is rich in museums and exhibition centers. The most popular are the pharmacy museum in the house of Quensel, the museums of music, crafts, navigation, the Biological Museum, the combined complex of archeology and modern art. In summer, you can take a ferry trip to numerous islands. On one of them there is a valley of moomins, which causes delight among children and adults.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Turku

    Abosky Castle

    It is one of the largest buildings of the Middle Ages. It was built as a defensive fortress in 1280. Subsequently, it was rebuilt many times. In the XVI century, it turned into a luxurious Renaissance-style palace. Today, a historical museum is open on the territory of the castle. Of interest are observation towers, prison cells, ducal chambers, as well as state halls that are used for ceremonial events. The castle chapel is a popular place for wedding ceremonies.

    Abosky Castle
    Old Square

    Old Square

    The historical part of Turku – Vanha Suutori – is located next to the Cathedral. It has been known since the XIII century. The Swedish Lyceum, the old mansions of Giuselius, Brinkkala and Hjelt, the Abo Academy, the old Town Hall, two squares are located on it. The square serves as a venue for fairs, exhibitions, theatrical performances. From the balcony of the Brinkkala house, the "Christmas world" is traditionally proclaimed, after which they begin to celebrate Christmas. In July, the Days of the Middle Ages are held here.

    Retail space

    A popular tourist attraction in the city center. It has been known since the XIX century. It was often rebuilt, a number of buildings were demolished in the post-war period to make way for more modern ones. The main objects located on the square today are an Orthodox church, a Swedish theater, a hotel, shopping centers, cafes. In the morning hours, they sell clothes, flowers, agricultural products brought by farmers and private producers from the surrounding regions.

    Retail space
    Turku Cathedral

    Turku Cathedral

    The grandiose temple in the Gothic style was erected in 1258, and 4 decades later it was consecrated as a cathedral. Most of the interior was restored in 1830, after a large-scale fire in Turku. It was then that a 100-meter tower was built, which became the symbol of the city. The bells of the cathedral are ringing every day at noon on the radio throughout the country. A museum of the history of church life has been opened at the temple, where sacred vessels, statues of saints, and a collection of clothes are kept.

    St. Michael 's Cathedral

    Located on a hill, in the central part of the city. A magnificent red brick building in the Neo-Gothic style. The beginning of construction dates back to 1899. The opening and consecration of the church took place in 1905. The height of the tower with a spire is 77 meters. The hall is designed for 1,250 parishioners, and is often used for concerts and wedding ceremonies. The cathedral's organ, after restoration and improvement in 2002, is considered the largest in the country.

    St. Michael 's Cathedral
    St. Alexandra Church

    St. Alexandra Church

    It was built in 1838-1846 as a garrison church for the Russian military. Located on the Shopping area. The building is made in the late Empire style, has the shape of a rotunda decorated with 16 decorative columns. The dome space is represented in the form of a blue sky with golden stars. Later, the bell tower was completed. Today the church is recognized as an architectural monument. Services are held in Finnish and once a month in Church Slavonic.text

    Swedish Theater

    Located on the Shopping Area. It is considered the oldest in the country. The building was built in 1839. His own troupe was formed by the end of the XIX century. It has three chamber stages — for 350, 120 and 100 spectators. Specializes in musical productions for adults and children. Several new performances are released every season. In addition, conferences, presentations are organized within the walls of the theater, and solemn meetings and banquets are held in the restaurant. Guided tours of the backstage.

    Swedish Theater
    Art Museum

    Art Museum

    A majestic granite castle with a glass roof in the style of romanticism rises above the city on the hill of Puolalanmaki, next to the Shopping Area. It was erected in 1904 and was originally conceived as a building for an art museum. Currently, more than 6,000 works are stored here, including collections of early and modern Finnish paintings, wooden sculptures, graphics, antique weapons, numismatics, etc. A souvenir shop and a cozy cafe are open at the museum.

    Jan Sibelius Music Museum

    The date of foundation is 1928. The only such museum in the country. The modern building was erected in 1968, not far from the Cathedral. Here is a collection of historical musical instruments collected around the world. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the life and creative path of the composer J. Sibelius. The museum's funds contain audio recordings, photographic documents, manuscripts, concert programs, collections of sheet music. Creative meetings and concerts are held.

    Jan Sibelius Music Museum
    Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

    Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

    A fascinating complex that combines a collection of modern art and a historical museum. The expositions are located in the mansion of the manufacturer Rettig. Next to it, archaeologists discovered a part of the medieval city, represented today by the ruins of 6 stone houses and a street passing between them. These are fragments of the historical Monastery quarter, where rich merchants and artisans used to live. Excavations are continuing.

    Pharmacy Museum and Quensel House

    One of the oldest bourgeois houses was built at the dawn of the XVIII century. Its luxurious interiors – expensive parquet, stucco, chandeliers, mirrors – give an idea of the manor houses of that time. A pharmacy of the beginning of the XX century has been recreated in one of the premises. Here you can see pharmacy utensils, furniture, medical instruments, jars with medicines. In the courtyard, visitors are offered pastries, herbal drinks and teas prepared according to ancient recipes.

    Pharmacy Museum and Quensel House
    Museum of Väine Aaltonen

    Museum of Väine Aaltonen

    It was opened in 1967 on the Aura Embankment. It is dedicated to contemporary art and, in particular, to the work of sculptor V. Aaltonen. The collection of his works donated to the museum served as the basis for the first exhibitions. The sculptor personally took part in designing the interior of the museum building. In the foyer there is an aquarium with fish and the largest sculpture of the collection – the Virgin of Finland, 4 meters high. The museum also presents works of art by other contemporary masters.

    Luostarinmaki Craft Museum

    It was opened in 1940 and includes 18 blocks consisting of old wooden buildings of the XIX century. These are residential houses and workshops of Finnish artisans. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they were not brought from different regions, but stand where they were originally built. Here you can see the workshop of a potter, carpenter, shoemaker, watchmaker, has its own post office, bakery, printing house. Every summer, a world—class event is held in the City of Masters - Days of Craft Art.

    Luostarinmaki Craft Museum
    Marinum Forum

    Marinum Forum

    The exhibits of this marine center introduce visitors to the history of shipbuilding and navigation in Finland. The most interesting objects are ancient and modern vessels moored along the Aura embankment. Among them there is a sailboat, a passenger ship, a corvette, a bark, a police boat, a river ferry, etc. You can board any of them. Also on the territory of the forum there is a maritime museum, restoration workshops, a restaurant, a souvenir shop.

    Indoor Market

    It is located in a historical building of the XIX century – an object of cultural heritage. The wooden interior decoration of the market has been preserved. Citizens and tourists come here to buy fresh local products – bread, vegetables, fish, dairy and meat products. They also sell alcohol, spices, teas, souvenirs. The market is also famous for excellent cooking. Here you can taste Japanese, Mexican, Vietnamese, vegetarian cuisine, sweets from the famous Mbakery bakery.

    Indoor Market
    Kupittaa Park

    Kupittaa Park

    One of the oldest and largest parks in Finland. It was founded at the beginning of the XIX century. Located in the city center, the area is 24 hectares. This is a popular place for outdoor activities with the whole family. It includes a summer aqua complex with a swimming pool and slides, a children's amusement park, a motor town with bicycle cars, sports grounds, stadiums and an indoor gym, sports equipment rental, picnic areas, a pond with birds, a restaurant and a summer cafe.text

    Botanical Garden of the University of Turku

    It is located in the suburbs, on the island of Ruissalo. It was founded in 1924. The area is 21 hectares, of which 6 hectares are occupied by decorative, collectible plants. The rest of the territory is oak forests, meadows, artificial ponds with water lilies. The greenhouse complex consists of 6 rooms where exotic plants, ferns, evergreen succulents, etc. grow. In general, the collection of the garden has about 6 thousand species of plants. Guided tours are available for everyone.

    Botanical Garden of the University of Turku
    Coastal islands

    Coastal islands

    A 500 km2 national nature park consisting of several thousand rock formations and islands. The largest of them are inhabited and have communication with the mainland. The number of permanent residents is about 1000 people. The date of foundation of the park is 1983. It is part of the UNESCO Nature Reserve. Along with the magnificent pristine nature on the territory of the park there are a number of cultural and historical attractions - churches, lighthouses, fragments of fortifications.

    The Archipelago Trail

    This is a 250 km long circular tourist route that passes through the natural and cultural attractions of the island archipelago. You can go on a trip by car, or by bike and on foot. The route begins in the city of Turku. It passes through villages, nature trails, settlements of Kaarina, Pargas, Nogu, Naantali and others. It includes 8 ferry trips lasting from a few minutes to an hour. The route is open only in summer.

    The Archipelago Trail
    The Land of Moomins (Naantali)

    The Land of Moomins (Naantali)

    One of the best theme parks in the world. Created based on the funny stories of Tove Jansson. It is located on a small island in the vicinity of the city of Naantali. It includes a moomin house with 5 floors, free travel, a forest maze, a fairy-tale witch swamp, a beach, a cafe, a marina with a ship, a theater and other entertainment. Fairy-tale heroes accompany children everywhere. While kids get to know the world of their favorite characters, adults can relax in gazebos with hammocks.