 | ||
| Turku | ||
| province | Western Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 187.604 (2016) | |
| Tourist info | 358 2 262 7444 turku.fi | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Turku is a city in Western Finland. Your Swedish name is Åbo and it is officially bilingual (Finnish and Swedish). Most of the Swedish-speaking Finns live in western Finland.
The bishopric of the Lutheran Bishop of Finland is located in Turku, as well as the Swedish-speaking Åbo Akademi next to the Finnish-speaking University of Turku.
background
Turku is the oldest city in Finland and was until it was relocated to Helsinki in 1819 also its capital. Today it is the fifth largest city in Finland.
The exact time when Turku was founded is unknown. But it must have been shortly after 1155, because at the time of the crusade of the Swedish King Erik it did not yet exist. Nevertheless, by 1229 a larger settlement had already arisen than with the approval of Pope Gregory IX. the bishopric was moved to the mouth of the Aurajaki. The year 1229 is usually regarded as the founding date of the city, although it already had market rights at that time, because the Finnish name Turku means something like trading center in German. In the middle of the 13th century work began on building a stone church and a monastery near what was then the market. Shortly afterwards, a military base was also established. Since at least 1309 the city has had its own seal and thus an independent administration. It was never a really big city in the Middle Ages, but by Finnish standards it was, as it was where the greatest concentration of cultural institutions was.
Turku was also able to benefit from Sweden's rise to a great power. Due to the Swedish influence, the Reformation also came to Finland, and here in Turku the New Testament was translated into Finnish for the first time in 1548, thus creating the Finnish written language. During the Thirty Years War many books came to Sweden and also to Turku, so that the first university in Finland, the Akademi zu Turku, was founded here. In 1809 the eastern part of the Kingdom of Sweden (essentially today's Finland) fell to the Russian Empire. With this began the descent of Turku. Because in St. Petersburg the long Swedish tradition was viewed with suspicion, so that in 1812 the capital city function was transferred to what was then the smaller Helsinki transmitted.
A devastating city fire in 1827 destroyed five sixths of the city. This made it easy for the tsar to move the university to Helsinki. Nevertheless, the city was quickly rebuilt. Under the hands of the architect Carl Ludwig Engel, it was renewed according to the grid system that you can still see today. In 1919 the Swedish University finally returned to Turku, followed three years later in 1922 by the Finnish University. Turku was bombed by the Red Army during World War II.
getting there
By plane
Turku Regional Airport is located around 8 km north of the city center. A city bus route connects it to the city center. Tel 415 4909
By train
The main train station is on the northern edge of the old town and therefore quite central, as most of the sights are less than a kilometer away. There are very good rail connections to Helsinki and Tampere.
By bus
- 1 Turku bus station, Aninkaistenkatu 20. Tel.: 200 4000 (Timetable information). The bus station is around 400 meters east of the main train station.
There is a fairly dense network of long-distance buses, so after Rauma, Tampere and Helsinki. There is also a regional and city bus network.
In the street
The E18 starts in the port of Turku.
The easiest way to travel from Germany is via Sweden, using the ferry from StockholmHelsinki Motorway.
By boat
The port of Turku is located at the mouth of the Aurajoki. This is where the ferries from Stockholm (Sweden) and the Åland Islands dock.
Both the Viking line and the Silja line have their own ferry terminal.
mobility
The city center is small enough to be explored on foot. Bus 1 runs from the airport to the market square (Kauppatori / Salutorget) and on to the castle and ferry port.
The only city ferry in Finland, Föri, is located in Turku. It crosses the Aurajoki in summer (April to September) from 6:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., in winter until 9:30 p.m. Use is free of charge and you can take your bike with you. Sometimes you have to wait a bit because the ferry is small. If the river is frozen, there is a wooden walkway to cross the river.
Bicycle workshop
- Bike station, Kirkonmäentie 3, 21570 Sauvo. Tel.: 358 (0)44 3244010. Located about 35 km outside of Turku city center in Sauvo. Are the only specialists in Finland when it comes to Rohloff, SON / Schmidt and mobile power supply. Their handmade balance bikes enjoy a good reputation among touring cyclists. You speak German.
- 1 Visan polkupyörähuolto, Yliopistonkatu 8. Tel.: 358 (0)2 2311191. Competent bicycle workshop hidden in a back yard. Not only sells standard goods. You speak english.
Tourist Attractions
All sights are on or near the Aurajoki River, which flows through the city in an east-west direction.
For tourists there is a discount card that gives free entry to most sights and museums. It is also valid as a ticket on local buses. The TurkuCard is valid for 24 hours / € 28 or 48 hours / € 36. The family card (max. 2 adults 3 children) for 24 hours costs 56 €1.
1 These prices are from 2016.
Churches
- Turku Cathedral. At the same time the seat of the bishop.
- Michael's Church. This neo-Gothic church was built between 1899 and 1905 according to plans by the architect Lars Sonck. It is located on the Puutarhakatu.
- Orthodox Church. The church, completed in 1848, is located on the north side of the market square.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- 1 Castle and History Museum, Linnankatu / Slottsgatan 80. The gigantic Turku Castle near the ferry terminal is an absolute must as one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions. The highlights are two dungeons and the sumptuous dining room. Also worth seeing is the depiction of medieval Turku in the History Museum, which is located in a labyrinth of restored rooms in the former kennel. The castle was built in 1280. In the middle of the 16th century, at the time of Duke Johan and Katharina Jagellonica, the Renaissance floors were added. After the great fire of the castle in 1614, most of it was left to decay. After the bombing in World War II, the decision was made to renovate the castle, until the end of the 1980s.Open: 16.4.-16.9 .: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 16.9.-15.4 .: Tue - Fri Sun 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Admission: adults € 7, children and students € 3.50, senior citizens € 4.50, family ticket (2 adults, 2-4 children): € 15.50.
Buildings
- Market hall
- Townhouse
- Åbo Akademi. Swedish University, founded in the 17th century. The current buildings date from 1802-15.
- Swedish theater. The facade dates from 1838.
- Sigyn Hall. A modern concert hall.
- Old Mill. The windmill is the landmark of the Samppalinna open-air theater.
Monuments
- Bronze sculpture by Wäinö Aaltonen, at the Hämeenkatu at the Aura bridge. In honor of Pavvo Nurmis.
Museums
The following important museums are located in Turku. Different opening times may apply or the museums may even be closed on public holidays and celebrations.
- 2 Double museum Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6. Tel.: 358 250 0552, Fax: 358 279 4909. Open: 2007 2.1.-1.4. Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 2.4.-16.9. daily 11 am-7pm on June 21st from 4 p.m. up to and including 24.6. closed, 17.9.-21.12. Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 26.12. 11 am-7pm.Price: Admission: adults € 8, children (7-15) € 5.50, pensioners / students € 7, family ticket € 22, multi-day tickets available1.
- 3 Pharmacy museum in the Qwenselhaus, Läntinen Rantakatu 13. Tel.: 358 262 0280, Fax: 358 262 0281. Price: Admission: € 4 / € 21.
- Cathedral Museum, Tuomiokirkkotori 20. Tel.: 358 261 710, Fax: 358 261 7102. Open: like the cathedral (open every day), but closed during church events.Price: Admission: € 2 / € 11.
- 4 Biological Museum, Neitsytpolku 1. Tel.: 358 262 0340, Fax: 358 262 0342. Price: Admission: € 4 / € 21.
- 5 Forum Marinum, Linnankatu 72. Tel.: 358 282 9511. Maritime Museum.Open: Winter: Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Summer: (1.6.-31.8.) Daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m.Price: Admission: Exhibition only € 7 / € 4, individual viewing of a ship € 5 / € 3, exhibition and all ships € 12 / € 71.
- with the exhibition ships, viewing only possible in summer (1.6.-31.8.) daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sigyn,
- Suomen Joutsen
- Keihässalmi and Karjala
- with the exhibition ships, viewing only possible in summer (1.6.-31.8.) daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- 6 Luostarinmäki Handicraft Museum, Luostarinmäki. Tel.: 358 262 350, Fax: 358 262 0281. Price: Admission: € 4 / € 21.
- 7 Sibelius Museum, Piispankatu 17. Tel.: 358 215 4494, Fax: 358 251 8528. Open: Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Wed also 6 p.m.-8 p.m.Price: Admission: adults € 3, children over 7 students € 1, concert tickets: adults € 7, students € 31.
- 8 Ett Hem Museum, Piispankatu 14. Tel.: 358 215 4279, 358 275 2400, Fax: 358 275 2427. Open: 3.5.-30.9. 12 noon-3 p.m. (the rest of the time only groups by prior arrangement).
- 9 Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Itäinen Rantakatu 38. Tel.: 358 226 0850. The museum, located on the banks of the Auraki, shows modern art in changing exhibitions.Open: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed on Mondays.
- 10 Art museum, Turku Aurakatu 29. Tel.: 358 262 7100. Open: Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon closed.Price: Standard admission price 6 € / 3.5 € for special exhibitions also higher1.
- Regional Museum, Kalastajankatu 4. Tel.: 358 262 0111, Fax: 358 262 0444. Open: 16.4.-15.9. daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., 16.9.-15.4. Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon closed on public holidays.Price: Admission: € 6 / € 31, Entrance castle and museum, ticket office closes 30 minutes before the end of the opening period.
Streets and squares
- Kauppatori. Market Square, the center of Turku.
Parks
- Kupitta Park. Considered the oldest city park in Finland and is well worth a visit. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and many sports facilities here.
various
activities
shop
- Market hall and the adjoining Eerikinkatu shopping mall.
- The main shopping area is located on the pedestrianized Yliopistonkatu and around the adjacent Kauppatori (market square).
kitchen
Cheap
- 1 Turun Kirjakahvila, Vanha Suurtori 3, 20500 Turku (in the inner courtyard at the old market square). Tel.: 358(0)2-4691396.
Open: Mon - Fri 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.Price: coffee: € 2.00, tea: € 1.70, student price: € 1.50, cocoa: € 2.50. - 2 Café Sirius, Linnankatu 2, 20100 Turku (is attached to the library). Tel.: 358 2 231 5760, Email: [email protected]. Open: working days 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
medium
Upscale
nightlife
- 1 Proffan kellari, Rehtorinpellonkatu / Rektorsåkersgatan 6. You can drink a cheap beer in this student pub.
- 2 Panimoravintola Koulu, Eerikinkatu / Eriksgatan 18. You can have a good beer in Panimoravintola Koulu, a house brewery in a former school building from 1889.
accommodation
Cheap
- 1 Hostel Turku, Linnankatu 37, 20100 Turku. Tel.: 358 (0)2-262 7680, Fax: 358 (0)2-262 7675, Email: [email protected]. Open: 01/01 - 20/12 and 27/12 - 31/12Check-in: 3 p.m.Check-out: 10.00.Price: from 18 € per bed.
- Hotell and Vandrahem Linnasmäki. Somewhat off the beaten track in the northeast in Ringbrynjegatan 7. Newly renovated hotel and youth hostel. The Prisma supermarket is a close source of supply. Is nice and quiet in a forest that invites you to take longer walks.
medium
- 2 Scandic Plaza Turku, Yliopistonkatu 29, 20100 Turku. Tel.: 358 (0)2 33 200, Fax: 358 (0)2 33 20111, Email: [email protected].
Upscale
Learn
Work
security
The general emergency number is 112.
health
Practical advice
- 1 Tourist office, Aurakatu 4, 20100 Turku. Tel.: 358(0)2 262 7444, Fax: 358(0)2 262 7679, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sa Su (Apr - Sep) 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat Sun (Oct - Mar) 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
trips
- Visiting the 11 Meyer shipyard Turku
- To 1 Kultaranta(Gullranda), the summer residence of the Finnish presidents
- To 2 Naantali
Small town with colorful wooden houses
