Turku Things to Do

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I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend in Turku. I could see the cathedral every day and found out when services occurred. On Sunday morning I made my way over to the church and attended a service. Even though it was held in Finnish, it was an unforgettable experience that I will remember for a long time. You can find out more on the website of the The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland:

Finnish language site: http://evl.fi/
Swedish language site: http://evl.fi/EVLsv.nsf
English language site: http://www.evl.fi/english/
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Cathedral of Turku is a Evangelical Lutheran cathedral in Turku, Finland. It is the seat of The Archdiocese of Turku. The cathedral is located in the centre of the city, by the river Aura. It is the most important church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, and one of the most notable historical buildings in Finland.

The church was originally built out of wood in the late 13th century, and was dedicated as the main cathedral of Finland in 1300, the seat of the bishop of Turku. It was considerably expanded in the 14th and 15th centuries, mainly using stone as the construction material. The church was badly damaged during the Great Fire of Turku in 1827, and was rebuilt to a great extent afterwards.

The oldest building in the city - Qwensel house stands on a quay (Qwenselin talo, Lantinen Rantakatu 13, 1695).

The house is named in honor of judges Qwensel. This is one of few buildings which escaped during a fire.

The name of city TURKU/ABO is laid out with flowers on a coast near the house. A pharmaceutical museum is placed now in the house.

Saint Maria and the first Finnish bishop St Henrik are considered as patrons of the Cathedral. Up till the end of XVIII century under these arches the known people were buried there. They played an outstanding role in history of Sweden what memorable family boards and stone gravestones testify.

The marble sarcophagus of the Swedish queen Katarina Monsdotter (the wife of Erik XIV) is interesting in the Kankajnen chapel. Wars, robberies and fires repeatedly caused damage to the Cathedral within centuries. However the part of treasures was kept and exhibited at a museum which is in the southern gallery.

The exposition of a museum of the Cathedral tells about the basic stages in history of the Cathedral from XIV century. Medieval statues of sacred and subjects of church furniture are presented there.

(Tuomiokirkkomuseo, April - September. Daily 9.00-20.00, the rest of the time daily 9.00-19.00, it is closed during divine services, www.tumnseurakunnat.fi)

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The Cathedral was consecrated in 1290, expanded in XVI. The main Lutheran church of Finland and its national relic, which history is closely connected with centuries-old history of Finnish people, majestically rises on Unikankare hill, (in translation "a hill of a dream") on the left coast of Aurajoki.

The Cathedral is the oldest and most valuable monument of history in Finland. It was kept since time of construction in the XIIIrd century. During its centuries-old history the Cathedral repeatedly burned, it was reconstructed and restored. In the Middle Ages chapels for Catholic priests were attached, but, despite of it, romantic style was still kept in its architecture. Nowadays the Cathedral is not only a church, but also a museum. On the eve of Christmas the ring of its bells announces approach of a holiday.

The Swedish theatre of Turku (Abo Svenska Teater, Aurakatu 10, architect K.L.Engel, 1838) was opened in 1839 at the southern corner of Kauppatori Square. It is the oldest theatre in Finland.

The theatre became famous recently for its musical performances and musicals. A ticket office is located in a building of trading complex Hansakortteli near to the theatre(Monday-Saturday 11.00-15.00 and 17.00-19.00).
www.abo.fi/teater

On the northwest side of Kauppatori square there is a majestic Orthodox church (1838, architect K.Engel, May-August 10.00-15.00) where numerous Russian community gathered earlier. The church is constructed in board of emperor Nikolay I.

There are worthy magnificent lists inside of a temple on which Sacred George Pobedonosets fighting a dragon is represented.

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The most ancient and biggest castle of Finland stands on the right (northern) coast of Aurajoki near its mouth. It is one of the beautiful monuments of the Finnish national culture, leading its history from 1280 when Castle was constructed by Swedes.

Originally it represented a quadrangular strengthened camp and served as a residence for the deputy of the Swedish king.

The basic construction was completed in 1570 when it found shape of the magnificent stone castle of an epoch of the Renaissance, and in this view it was kept up till now. The castle maintained long sieges repeatedly. Blossoming of the castle became in the XVI - the period of board of Finnish duke Johan, the son of the Swedish king Gustav I Vasa and his wives Ekaterina Jagellonka (the sister of the Polish king Sigizmund II August. The true court life reigned there.

At that time there were more than 500 persons of servants. In 1630th the castle was a residence of the general-governor of Finland, then it was partially used as prison and a quartermaster warehouse.

The castle of Turku (Turun linna)
(Linnankatu 80) It is opened: the middle of April - the middle of September daily 10.00 - 18.00. The rest of the year Tuesday - Sunday 10.00-15.00.

The Sea center, more precisely, the Museum of trading and military fleet, up till 1999 settled down in a former observatory at Vartiovuori hill, and recently it was moved on a new place - to a building of a former granary (1894) near to the castle.

Expositions tell about all aspects of sea history of Finland: development of its marine sea fleet, seafarers and pilots, ship-wrecks, work of sea patrols and customs, etc. There are presented models of various vessels, mines of times of the Second world war.

Linnankatu 72, May-September daily. 9.00-19.00, the rest of the year Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-18.00, on Monday it is closed.