A day in the City of Turku

Vol 28, Issue 1, 24th January 2025

The City of Turku also known as Åbo stad in Swedish is a historic marvel in Finland in the southwestern coast with a rich history dating back to over 800 years. Turku is known to be Finland’s oldest city founded in the late 12^th century and the former capital of Finland until the 19^th century prior to shifting the title to Helsinki.

Turku is nearly 270km away from Kouvola to the southwestern region and it is a 3-4 hours’ drive or a train ride. The day out in Turku started with a fine breakfast buffet at Hotel Kakola which also carries the history of this beautiful city. What used to be one of Finland’s largest and most dangerous prisons built in the late 18^th century which is known as the granite castle is now a beautiful hotel. The hotel has its own spa, restaurant, coffee house and apartment facility spread across the Kakolanmäki Hills. After the wonderful breakfast buffet, it was time to experience Kakola spa which is 300m walk from the Hotel facility. The spa has 4 different pools and saunas. The largest pool with gentle massaging whirlpool seats with a long bar, the salt pool, the cold-water pool and the warm water pool. The saunas have its unique characteristics as well where you can experience the pine sauna with temperatures of 40-50°C , stone sauna with  temperatures of 40-60°C and the traditional Finnish Kelosauna with temperatures of 80-90°C. Apart from the pools and saunas Kakola spa has variety of treatments available which soothes the mind and body.

A walk along the Aura River to the port of Turku in broad daylight was a sight to behold during the winter times. The frozen river touched with beams of sunlight, birds enjoying the rare moments of sun shining through the gloomy days of winter, the soft breeze and the historic buildings and boats on sight are refreshing for the eyes. Alongside the river bank are beautiful restaurants and part of the history of the city of Turku for us to explore.

The Forum Marinum Museum and Tuku Castle are two main attractions located along the river Aura. Forum Marinum is a national maritime and maritime defence museum to learn about Finnish maritime history founded in the 1977. Visitors can see the incredible history of Cruise travels, submarines, seaplanes, Finnish ship buildings etc. Some exhibits can be seen outside the museum which will surely arouse one’s curiosity to explore more.  The Turku castle is situated near the Forum Marinum in a beautiful garden. This 12^th century marvel which was once a. royal residence, shows the pride and architecture of the medieval era and the renaissance era. The main part of the castle said to be expanded in the 16^th century when Gustav Vasa ascended to the Swedish throne. His son had been the head of administration and duke of Finland at the period. Having been through destructions of property during wars and vast renovations throughout different time periods the castle was fully restored in the late 1980s. Inside the medieval castle the main attractions are the Sture Church and Nuns Chapel with rare statues and paintings from the 14-16 centuries all the rooms that are exhibiting have descriptive information in Finnish, Swedish and English langues. The other rooms consist of the Guest Room, King’s State Room and the Kings and Queens Halls. At The Bailey you can see exhibitions of festivity and lifestyle which dates back to over 700 years.

Other popular tourist attractions in Turku are the Turku cathedral which was also built around the 13^th century with a gothic structure and medieval architecture, Michaels church built in 1899 and the Turku Art Museum where you can admire classic to modern contemporary art in one place.  This beautiful historic city has so much more to offer apart from these and a day is not enough to experience it all.