- Join for free
- Sign In
Helpfulness
The island of Seili lies in Airisto, halfway between Nauvo and Rymättylä. In the summer you can take the ferry to Seili from Nauvo Guest Marina. You can travel back on the mainland to the place you started from, or do the round-trip. Either way, the trip offers an unforgettably beautiful natural scenery and moving journey into history.
In the past centuries, Seili was a place where leppers, mentally ill people and other outcasts where banished. Once a person was sent there, there was no coming back.
It all began at the beginning of the 17th century, when leprosy plagued western Finland, and King Gustavus II Adolphus founded a care and isolation community on the island. Until 1785, a few dozen lepers, at any one time, lived on the island. At the same time, mentally ill people occupied the other end of the island, and when leprosy disappeared, they formed the main population of the island. There was a mental institution on the island until 1962.
The way that the outcasts on Seili were treated is shocking and deeply moving. As a cure, both lepers and the insane were offered the word of God, water from a healing spring and liquor, which the islanders had the right to distil. It is presumed that the islanders traded in liquor with the inhabitants of the archipelago despite their disease.
The island of Seili formed a separate congregation from the very beginning. Its idyllic wooden church was completed in 1733 and has been preserved in excellent condition. The church's log walls embody the beauty of simplicity, and the tall wooden partition, behind which the lepers were allowed to listen to the fire-and-brimstone sermons, is still in place.
The fascination of Seili lies in the stark contrast between its grim history and idyllic nature. The island is owned by the University of Turku, and the fact, that there are no tourist services, with the exception of a small outhouse, is part of its attraction. Despite this shortcoming, thousands of tourist have visited the island since the ferry route was opened in 2003.
Written Sep 2, 2004
Address: Between Nauvo and Ryumättylä
Helpfulness
The island is one of the largest within the Archipelago National Park , 3.5 kilometres from end to end. There are no cars and no paved roads, but old country roads and paths remain.
The northern end of the island, now part of the national park, has beautiful shores and is covered by fine, old forest. Other parts of the island are also mostly open to hiking. There has been no logging in recent years.
The population of the island was once, at its largest, 282 inhabitants. In the winter of 2001-2002 there were just six of us, but every summer the population rises steeply as there are many summer homes. In the past the islanders were fishermen, farmers and sailors. Now fields have become meadows and slowly turn into forest.
The village has not changed much. The wooden church, built in 1756-7, remains, as does the old windmill, school house and groups of farm buildings.
Written Sep 2, 2004
Helpfulness
The chuch of Nauvo is gry stone church and it's based from middle ages.
Unfortunately the organ is quite new. The oldest organ in Finland which has been preserved to our days is known as the "Nauvo Positive". It was in use in Nauvo parish church in 1654-1791. This organ is now placed in the National Museum in Helsinki.
In 1788 Olof Schwan made a contract with Nauvo parish on the building of a new organ of the church. Under the contract the organ was to be completed in 1790, but the Swedo-Russia war in King Gustav III's time prevented the parish from transporting the organ from Stockholm, so installation in the church was delayed by a year.
The years and heating systems badly damaged the organ. In 1878 J.A. Zachariassen of Uusikaupunki repaired and completed the Nauvo organ. He constructed new bellows and air ducts, and a new keyboard and mechanism. The organ was given four new stops. In 1976-77 Bröderna Moberg restored the organ. Its condition is today very good.
Written Sep 2, 2004
Address: Middle of the village
1 - 3 of 3
Reviews and photos of Nauvo attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Nauvo sightseeing.
The chuch of Nauvo is gry stone church and it's based from middle ages.Unfortunately the organ is quite new. The oldest organ in Finland which has been...
Our members can help!
1
Nauvo - In the frontier of Finnish archipelago
In Nauvo You can enjoy of beautiful nature and large archipelago. But go there in midsommer (20.6. - 8.8), because beyond those times every plase you shoud visit is closed. This includes both public...
2
Nauvo is one of the largest islands in Turku Arcipelago. Undoubtly it is a summer place with plenty of cottages. You can travel to Nauvo by Boat or Ferry.
3
I've got some interesting experiences in Nauvo. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 1 photo uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
Build your own Nauvo page
