Turku, founded in the 13th century, is the oldest and fifth largest city in Finland and was its first capital city. It is located at the mouth of the Aura River, on the southwest coast. Due to its location, the Port of Turku is one of the busiest seaports in Finland with around 3.7 million passengers per year. Turku has been designated by the European Union to be the European Capital of Culture for the year 2011, together with Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Brian, Foster and I spent 3 days at the end of August exploring Turku and some of the surrounding towns. This enormous iridescent fish tail fountain seemed like the perfect spot for a photo.
SIGYN - The last remaining three-masted barque in the world. Now a floating musuem!
Foster and Brian enjoying the view along the river walk.
This plaque explains in Finnish, Swedish and English that the damage to this building was caused during WWII.
Turku Castle, dating from the 1280s, is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland. The Castle's heyday was in the mid-16th century; that was when the Renaissance Floor and King's and Queen's hall were built. The castle was the center of the historical province of Finland Proper, and the administrative center of all of Finland. Its strong walls and dungeons also served as the state prison for centuries. The castle is Finland's most visited museum and offers guided tours in the summer.
This small chapel is still used today for services and wedding ceremonies.
This banquet hall in the Renaissance addition is used for wedding receptions and other special events.
Several of the castle rooms have been decorated to show various styles of decor over the centuries.
Brian examining some shackles in a prison cell at the castle.
Turku Cathedral is the mother church of the Lutheran Church of Finland, and the country’s national shrine. Its bells chime at noon over the radio (Channel Yle Radio 1) throughout Finland, and they also proclaim the Christmas peace to the country. Construction began in the 13th century and continued into the first decades of the 19th century.
This alcove contains the tomb of a wealthy family and is painted in rich colors with a celestial inspired ceiling.
