The neighborhoods along the banks of the Aurajoki River are home to many private restaurants and cafes, and there are as many boutiques here as in a large metropolis. And everything is within walking distance! Turku can be called the most comfortable city in Finland without exaggeration. Turku is unique in that it is located on the banks of both a river and the sea. The most visited part of the city is the Aurajoki River, which borders the historic districts, and the sea can be seen in the Ruissalo park area. When two of Finland’s most impressive sights, Turku Castle and the Cathedral, can be combined in one trip, it is difficult to imagine a better Finnish city to visit. And most importantly, while many Finnish cities look their best in summer, Turku is incredibly beautiful in winter.
The most beautiful places in Turku
Turku is home to some of Finland’s main attractions. Nowhere else in Finland will you find such ancient and beautiful examples of history. In medieval Sweden, Turku was the second largest city after Stockholm.
Turku Castle was the main castle in Finland, where the local governor lived, and the Cathedral was the only holy place of its kind in Finland. In fact, it was the only cathedral in the whole country at that time.
Turku is a special medieval city in which, despite its 700-year history, not a single medieval building has survived except for the castle and the cathedral.
Although both of these attractions are Turku’s main attractions, the city also has plenty of other attractions to offer.
In addition to the places already mentioned, Turku is home to the Luostarimäki Craft Museum, the Turku Art Museum, and the Väinö Aaltonen Sculpture Museum.
The Aurajoki River divides the city in two
The Aurajoki River flows through the heart of Turku. The Empire-style buildings along its banks between the Cathedral Bridge and the Aurasilta Bridge form one of Finland’s most beautiful cityscapes. The locals have divided the city into two parts along the Aurajoki River: “täl pual jokke” (literally “on this side of the river,” a southwestern Finnish dialect) and “tois pual jokke” (literally “on the other side of the river”).
“Täl pual” is the eastern part of the city, where the Cathedral and the Old Market Square, the historical center of Turku, are located. The eastern part is also sometimes referred to by the Swedish name of the city, Åbo. This is what the city was called during Swedish rule. “Tois pual jokke” is the more turbulent western part, where the current city center is located. First, we will talk about the sights in the eastern part of the city, and then we will move west to the current city center.
Walk from the Cathedral to Piispankatu Street
The cathedral is Finland’s most important building, dating back to medieval times, and is considered a national holy site. The tombs in the middle of the cathedral deserve special attention. Here lies the legendary leader Gackapellita (light cavalry during the Thirteen Years’ War) – Torsten Stolgadski and Katarina Monsdotter – the Swedish queen who died in exile in Finland. Near the cathedral, turn onto the neighboring street, Piespakata, lined with idyllic wooden houses. The street also has attractions such as a museum dedicated to composer Jean Sibelius and the Ett Hem (Swedish for “home”) museum.
The Sibelius Museum exhibition consists of two parts: the first tells the story of the composer’s life and work, and the second presents a wide collection of musical instruments from around the world. Concerts are also held in the beautiful bunker-like hall.
Old Great Square – let’s go to Prinkkala
On the other side of Bragenspuisto Park, next to the cathedral, is Turku’s Old Great Square. It offers the most beautiful views of the city. The landscape is filled with magnificent Empire-style buildings, the most famous of which is the Prinkkala House. On Christmas Eve since 1827, at 12 noon, the right to Christmas peace is proclaimed from the balcony of Prinkkala House. However, Christmas peace was proclaimed in Turku even before 1827—this unbroken tradition is more than 700 years old, longer than in any other Nordic city. The saying “in the direction of Prinkkala” originated in the Great Square. According to legend, military parades were held in the square, and when one of the soldiers did not understand the difference between left and right, the commander angrily shouted: “Go back in the direction of Prinkkala!”
Next to the Prinkkala house is the most beautifully decorated Empire-style building in Turku, built by sea captain F. V. Gjelt (Vanhankaupungin Suurtori 5). It seems that long-distance ship captains also earned well in those days. On the Great Square, we can also mention the events of November 1599, when 14 nobles were beheaded here. During the civil war in Sweden, they sided with the legitimate king Sigismund in the struggle against the victorious Charles Vasa. Their heads were cut off with a sword that is now in the royal palace in Stockholm. Such was the high politics of the time. It is also worth taking a walk through the narrow streets between the beautiful houses — it is like Prague with its old street lamps.
Kaskis – the best restaurant in Turku
After visiting the Museum of Crafts, treat yourself to a visit to Kaski (Kaskinkatu 6 A). Kaski has a pleasant atmosphere, delicious food, and, despite its status, affordable prices. The restaurant is often recognized as the best in Turku and one of the best in Finland. The food may look simple, but it is excellently prepared. Kaski is located next to the museum on the main street, Kaskinkatu, which descends steeply to the Aurajoki River, crosses it via a modern bridge, changes its name to Aurakatu, and continues on to the market square and the Turku Art Museum. Also on Kaskinkatu Street, next to the bridge, is a replica of the Paavo Nurmi statue. The same statue of the runner stands in front of the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. Near the bridge is the legendary Mantun grilli restaurant, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Turku Market Square
While the banks of the Aurajoki River can be described as idyllic, the Market Square, located in the heart of the city and surrounded by a variety of buildings, cannot. Several beautiful old buildings have been preserved here, such as the Orthodox Church, which resembles a pantheon, and the Swedish Theater of Turku. Both buildings are the work of architect Engel. Market Square is a good example of the so-called Turku disease, where in the second half of the 20th century, in the pursuit of large-scale construction, insanely beautiful old buildings were demolished.