Turku Castle

Turku Castle has stood at the mouth of the Aura since the 1280s, the largest surviving medieval building in Finland and once the seat of Swedish power in the land. Grown over centuries from a fortress into a Renaissance palace, it now holds a museum through its maze of halls, chapels and dungeons.

Background

In Finnish the castle is Turun linna and in Swedish Åbo slott. Along with Turku Cathedral, it ranks among the oldest Finnish buildings that are still in use. The keep, a square fort with two square gate towers and walls of 5 metres at the base, was finished in the early 15th century, and the bailey was built from the late 15th into the 16th century. The castle reached its peak in the mid-16th century under Duke John of Finland and Catherine Jagellon. A great fire in 1614 burned almost all the wooden parts of the older sections. Fully restored in 1987, it now draws well over 100,000 visitors a year, more than any other museum in Finland.

Source: Wikipedia, "Turku Castle"

What's there

• The medieval keep - the oldest stone core with its great halls and chapel.
• The Renaissance bailey - the later ducal palace rooms and courtyards.
• The museum - the story of Turku and Finland told through the castle.
• Dungeons and chambers - the warren of rooms from cellar to hall.

When to go

Year-round; a fully indoor museum ideal for any weather. Quieter on weekday afternoons.

Practical notes

It is a large, rambling castle that has been much rebuilt, so it reads as layered history rather than a single pure period. The museum is extensive, so allow time and expect a lot of walking through rooms. It sits by the working ferry harbour rather than a scenic setting.

Nearby

Turku Cathedral and the riverside are across town; the archipelago ferries leave from the harbour beside the castle.

Key facts