Turku Things to Do

The wooden tall ship "Sigyn" found its last port of call at Aurajoki in Turku. Under Swedish flag she sailed over the world's oceans from 1887 to 1939. Today she is a museum ship and part of Forum Marinum, the maritime museum of Turku.

Just a few metres after you have passed the Sigyn you will get to another tall ship, the Suomen Joutsen (Finnish Swan). This one was built in France in 1902. It was used as a navy training ship until the second world war and then again from 1949 until the 80s. In 1991 the Suomen Joutsen was given to Turku and now serves as museum ship as part of the Forum Marinum.

This is the trip through the archipelago which we took - basically because we were too late to go on the other trip. It was a wonderful option though so I don't know if the other one would have been nicer ;)

We took a boat to Vepsä which is a small wild island in the archipelago of Turku. Unfortunately we could only take the last boat there which leaves Turku at 5 so that we had to go straight back because it was also the last boat from Vepsä back to the mainland. So I can't tell you anything about Vepsä other than that it has Mökkis and that it looks like heaven for a weekend away ;)

However, the boat trip was really nice!! It takes approx. 1 hour to Vepsä and obviously 1 hour back. You pass by the museum ships at Aurajoki, then the port and after that all you pass by is Finnish nature at its best - woods, wooden houses, saunas, beaches, rocks etc etc.

We were almost on our own on the boat so that we could enjoy the scenery and the Finnish music on the boat very intensely ;-)

2 more images

The archipelago is rich in beautiful travel resorts awaiting your discovery but in winter of course this way of adventure is not possible because Aura river is frozen but at the same time some ferry ships are open as restaurants.

The Castle has a museum, which demonstrates the history of the Turku region from prehistory to present day with its frequent exhibitions, events and furnished style rooms.
At the time of my visit of Turku this place was not open for visitors so I can't give additional information.

You have the opportunity to visit not only the Cathedral, but also to visit the museum of the Cathedral.
Nice that both the Cathedral and museum are open to visitors also on weekends. Museum is closed during religious ceremonies.

4 more images

Most of the present interior dates back to the restoration, carried out in 1830s following the Great Fire. The altarpiece, depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ was painted in 1836 by the Swedish artist Fredrik Westin.

The side chapels were originally altars, dedicated to various saints but gradually, they became funeral vaults. Consequently, nowadays the cathedral has the graves of some of the most eminent names in the Finnish history.

Remarkable are the graves of Carin Mansdatter, the wife of the Swedish king Erik XIV. She spent her last years in Finland.

For more information on the church in English and contact details, please consult http://www.turunseurakunnat.fi/portal/en/turku_cathedral/the_cathedral_speaks/.

4 more images

Turun Tuomiokirko (Turku's cathedral) is a church of a national significance. It is being considered one of the records of the Finnish architecture. It is still being in use and musical events regularly take place.

The church has been built in the 13th centure on the place of the most important trade center in Finland. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Henry - the first Finnish bishop. The cathedral at that time was smaller than the current one and was mainly made of stone. During the centuries, the other parts of the church were addes. The Gothic pillars and the chancel date back to the 15th and the side chapels - to the 17th.

The current shape of Tuomiokirko was built in the beginning of the modern period. The tower was built many times again because of the fires in Turku. Major damages were caused during the Great Fire of Turku in 1827.

In the course of the centuries, Tuomiokirko has suffered many adversities: its once rich collections have been plundered in time of war and damaged by fire. The last major renovation was in 1979, when the church was modernly equipped. Indeed, it was restorated to its mediaval form.