Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TURKU
02 / Pop 182,500
The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the
capital, and contemporary Turku is a hotbed of experimental art and vibrant festivals,
thanks in part to its spirited population from its university (the country's second largest),
who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriv-
ing by ferry from Sweden and Åland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.
TURKU CARD
Available from the tourist office and participating attractions, the
Turku Card
(
www.turkutouring.com
;
24/48hr €21/28, 24hr family card €45) provides free admission to most
museums and sights in the region, free travel on local buses, and discounts at some
shops and restaurants. The 24-hour family card (two adults and three kids) is good value.
It may not be worthwhile on a Monday, when many attractions are closed.
History
Archaeological findings in the Turku area date back to the Stone Age, but the city was
founded when Catholic settlement began at Koroinen, near the present centre of Turku, in
1229. The consecration of a new church in 1300 and the construction of Turku Castle cre-
ated an administrative and spiritual base for rulership.
The original Swedish name, Åbo, comes from a settlement
(bo)
on a river
(å)
. The town
was the second largest in Sweden, though much of it was levelled by fires, including the
Great Fire of 1827. When the Russians took over, the long Swedish connection led them to
make their new capital Helsinki, leaving Turku to concentrate on commerce. The Finnish
name, Turku, is an archaic Russian word for 'marketplace'. Today Turku's centre is still its
kauppatori (market square), situated 3km northeast of the harbour.
