Overview

Turku, a city full of contrasts, has always been an important link between East and West. It has both international atmosphere and small-town charm. You can experience the mixture of modern technology with history, and even though Turku is a place for everybody to enjoy, it is always a place for those who desire a peaceful break. Take a walk along the River Aura from the cathedral to the castle, and experience urban city life on your journey between the two landmarks.

Visiting one of the riverboat restaurants is also highly recommended. The historical side of the city can be experienced on Luostarinmäki Hill, in the old quarter of Turku. In 1827 the Great Fire destroyed most of the town; however, the wooden buildings of Luostarinmäki were saved. In 1984 the museum was awarded the Golden Apple prize. Turku has a versatile cultural life: several theaters, a philharmonic orchestra, chamber music, jazz & rock etc.

Kings and Tsars

For a long period of time in the past, Turku was under Swedish rule. Gustav Vasa, the Swedish king, spent the winter of 1555-56 in Turku castle. He also named his son Prince Johan Duke of Finland, who along with his wife held court in the castle.
Turku Castle has been renovated and is one of the most popular sights in Turku. During the summertime there are guided tours, including Little Knights tours for children, permanent and themed exhibitions, concerts and other events such as the Medieval Event & Evening.

Modern Architecture & Design
Turku has seen many architectural styles. In the 1930s, architects Alvar Aalto and Erik Bryggman left their mark on Turku and attracted international interest by designing functionalist buildings, a new trend at the time.
Examples of their architecture, such as the Chapel of the Resurrection and Turun Sanomat Newspaper House, still attract people today. Turku’s latest architectural triumph is St. Henrik´s Ecumenical Art Chapel, which was consecrated in 2005. It is situated on Hirvensalo Island and integrates perfectly into the surrounding nature. The design of this building, Ikthys, resembles a fish or a boat. The chapel has gained much attention worldwide.

City Life and Outdoor Activities
Turku promotes both rural and urban life, and in the downtown area there are many places to shop, a variety of cultural happenings, and a selection of peculiar pubs such as the Old Bank and Pharmacy. Outside the city you can go fishing, golfing by the sea, hiking, swimming and other activities if you have the energy.
Only 5 kilometers from Turku there is Ruissalo Island offering a charming and relaxed environment for both tourists and locals, and is famous for its unique nature, with its beautiful oak trees and versatile flora and fauna.

Great Shopping & Fine Food
The heart of the city is the market square, where native Turku people speaking their distinctive dialect are to be found. The Hansa shopping mall is right next to the market, consisting of 200 boutiques, cafes, restaurants and the Stockmann department store. Well-known brands such as Marimekko, Pentik and Aarikka also have stores in downtown Turku. The Old Great Square offers a range of artisan’s boutiques and small galleries.
Turku has a wide selection of top-quality restaurants serving excellent food, often featuring local products. Do not miss the specialties such as Dark Archipelago Bread, a slightly sweet bread, or dishes made from sea buckthorn, an extremely healthy berry with plenty of vitamin C. Given the proximity of Turku to the sea, fresh fish is served in many imaginative ways.

Ancient & Modern
Turku is the oldest city in Finland and the former capital of the country. Today it is a fascinating combination of past and present. In medieval times Turku was the centre of civilization and the seat of Christian Faith, home to the cathedral, Finland’s national shrine.
Nowadays Turku is Finland’s leading technology centre, with the Science Park area constantly expanding with specialized technology units such as BioCity and ElectroCity, to name a few.
Shipbuilding has always been an important industry and is currently enjoying a strong boom. The world’s biggest cruise vessels are built in Turku.

Top 10 attractions
Turku Top 10 – don’t miss

• Turku Archipelago
• Aurajoki River banks
• The medieval Cathedral of Turku - Many Swedish notables are buried here.
• Turku Castle - Turku Castle is Finland’s oldest medieval castle from 1280.
• Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum - Luostarinmäki is a unique town of the past.
• Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova - The double museum of Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova allow you on the one hand to take a closer look at Turku’s archaeological treasures.
• Sibelius Museum - The Sibelius Museum is the only museum totally devoted to music in Finland.
• Turku Art Museum - The newly modernized Turku Art Museum offers the audience art in abundance.
• Väino Aaltonen Museum of Art
• Forum Marinum - Admire famous vessels such as Suomen Joutsen (The Swan of Finland), the mine ship Keihässalmi and the beautiful bark, Sigyn.