TURKU City Guide ¦ Finland ¦ Travel Guide

Let's visit Finland. You're watching World Travel Guide, and today we will show you the beautiful city of Turku. The southwestern Finnish town of Turku, the country's oldest town and until 1812 its capital, lies on the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Aura River. Turku lies in the area where the successors to the Swedish Vikings landed in the 12th century, and set out to conquer what is now Finland. Turku is an energetic center of growth in the Baltic Sea area. The versatile livelihood structure, top class selection of education, culture and services, as well as the beautiful archipelago, form a magnetic combination in Turku. There are around 184,000 residents in the city. The entire region has over 310,000 residents. A great portion of the residents are students. The city has two universities and four higher education institutions with over 35,000 students altogether. With eight centuries of history, it is today the most traditional mediaeval town in Finland, but in addition to its outstanding mediaeval buildings, you'll find examples of art nouveau and modern architecture. The river is a focal point for the city, lined with historic boats, some of which have been converted into restaurants. In the summer, locals gather along its banks in the evening, and in the winter, it becomes a giant skating rink. Standing guard at the mouth of the river Aura, since the 1280s, Turku Castle started out as a defense bastion for Swedish rulers. A fire in 1614 destroyed most of the castle, and it was damaged again during World War II. However, years of restoration have revived the castle to its former glory. Ulka Pekka was built in 1938, and is the oldest steamship in Finland still in commercial use, having survived the seas throughout World War II. Its interior has been renovated, and now passengers can enjoy meals and refreshments on board. The ship sails from Turku to the nearby harbor town of Nantali. Finished in the year 1300, the Turku Cathedral is the central church of the Lutheran Archdiocese of Turku, and the seat of the Lutheran Archbishop of Finland. Considered to be the most important religious building in Finland, the cathedral has borne witness to many important events in the nation's history, and has become one of the city's most recognizable symbols. Turku was Finland's biggest city when the Great Fire of Turku caused massive destruction in 1827. Cloister Hill was the only wooden-built district to be spared from the flames. Today, it's an intriguing open-air museum, with old-fashioned workshops and examples of workers' homes, spread over 18 blocks of original wooden 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Among the world's largest, and to some, among its most beautiful, the Turku Archipelago can be visited by foot, bike, connecting vessels, ferries and car. The Archipelago Trail, going round the archipelago of Turku, takes you through the magnificent natural and cultural landscapes. Along the 250 km route, you'll encounter 12 bridges, 9 ferries and many idyllic archipelago parishes. The best time to visit Turku is during warmer months, May to September. In winter, although not a peak season, tourists do visit Turku for the love of winter sports, northern lights, ice swimming and sauna, in spite of only a few hours of daylight. Temperature in Turku around this time is sub-zero, and weather can get harsh at times. Do you think Turku is worth a visit? Let us know in the comments!