Turku (volume II)

Introduction

We went to Turku on our Scandinavian way from Russia to Germany. The First day: Moscow-Vyborg. The second day: Vyborg-Turku. Look at my Travelblog "Turku (VolumeI).

The Sea centre (Forum Marinum)

The Sea centre, more precisely, the Museum of trading and military fleet, up till 1999 settled down in a former observatory at Vartiovuori hill, and recently it was moved on a new place - to a building of a former granary (1894) near to the castle.
Expositions tell about all aspects of sea history of Finland: development of its marine sea fleet, seafarers and pilots, ship-wrecks, work of sea patrols and customs, etc. There are presented models of various vessels, mines of times of the Second World War.
Linnankatu 72, May-September daily. 9.00-19.00, the rest of the year Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-18.00, on Monday it is closed.

Three-mast sailing vessel "Sigyn"

The sea centre possesses several true vessels which are laid up at the coast of Aurajoki. The most well-known - sailing frigate Suomen Joutsen, in translation "the Finnish swan". It was constructed in 1902 in Saint-Nasar (France) and it was originally used for transportation of cargoes between Europe and South America.
Then it belonged to Germans and in 1930 - Finns bought it. They gave it the present name. During the Second World War the frigate served as a depot for submarines and hospital. From 1991 it is a ship-museum.
Black three-mast sailing vessel "Sigyn" is last kept wooden bark, suitable for navigations at the open ocean. It was constructed in 1887 in the Geteborg (Sweden) and went to Canada, Africa, India and South America. In 1927 it was bought by Finns. From 1939 it's a ship-museum.

Kauppatori Square (Market Square)

The square is very ordinary-looking on a view.
Unfortunately I have not found out anything remarkable except for the Russian Orthodox church and the Swedish theatre of Turku ...

The Orthodox Church

On the northwest side of Kauppatori square there is a majestic Orthodox church (1838, architect K.Engel, May-August 10.00-15.00) where numerous Russian community gathered earlier. The church is constructed in board of emperor Nikolay I.
There are worthy magnificent lists inside of a temple on which Sacred George Pobedonosets fighting a dragon is represented.

Abo Svenska Teater

The Swedish theatre of Turku (Abo Svenska Teater, Aurakatu 10, architect K.L.Engel, 1838) was opened in 1839 at the southern corner of Kauppatori Square. It is the oldest theatre in Finland.
The theatre became famous recently for its musical performances and musicals. A ticket office is located in a building of trading complex Hansakortteli near to the theatre (Monday-Saturday 11.00-15.00 and 17.00-19.00).
www.abo.fi/teater

The Cathedral of Turku (Tuomiokirkko)

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1290, expanded in XVI. The main Lutheran church of Finland and its national relic, which history is closely connected with centuries-old history of Finnish people, majestically rises on Unikankare hill, (in translation "a hill of a dream") on the left coast of Aurajoki.
The Cathedral is the oldest and most valuable monument of history in Finland. It was kept since time of construction in the XIIIrd century. During its centuries-old history the Cathedral repeatedly burned, it was reconstructed and restored. In the Middle Ages chapels for Catholic priests were attached, but, despite of it, romantic style was still kept in its architecture. Nowadays the Cathedral is not only a church, but also a museum. On the eve of Christmas the ring of its bells announces approach of a holiday.

Tuomiokirkkomuseo

Saint Maria and the first Finnish bishop St Henrik are considered as patrons of the Cathedral. Up till the end of XVIII century under these arches the known people were buried there. They played an outstanding role in history of Sweden what memorable family boards and stone gravestones testify.
The marble sarcophagus of the Swedish queen Katarina Monsdotter (the wife of Erik XIV) is interesting in the Kankajnen chapel. Wars, robberies and fires repeatedly caused damage to the Cathedral within centuries. However the part of treasures was kept and exhibited at a museum which is in the southern gallery.
The exposition of a museum of the Cathedral tells about the basic stages in history of the Cathedral from XIV century. Medieval statues of sacred and subjects of church furniture are presented there.
(Tuomiokirkkomuseo, April - September. Daily 9.00-20.00, the rest of the time daily 9.00-19.00, it is closed during divine services, www.tumnseurakunnat.fi)

Qwensel house

The oldest building in the city - Qwensel house stands on a quay (Qwenselin talo, Lantinen Rantakatu 13, 1695).
The house is named in honour of judges Qwensel. This is one of few buildings which escaped during a fire.
The name of city TURKU/ABO is laid out with flowers on a coast near the house. A pharmaceutical museum is placed now in the house.

Turun

Turku The Cathedral of Turku (Tuomiokirkko)

Taidemuseo

The art museum (Turun Taidemuseo) recently has moved to the main museum building (Aurakatu, 26) after finishing of its restoration. The building was constructed in a modernist style in 1904.The museum worked before in a building of a former observatory on Vartiovuori-hill about 400 m to the south from the Cathedral. The building of an observatory was constructed by K.Engel in 1819.
The exposition of the museum represents the second-largest art collection of Finland. Only after moving to the new building it became accessible to visitors in full.
We approached the museum in the evening when it was already closed. We hope to appreciate a collection next time.
June - September: Tuesday-Thursday 11.00 - 19.00, Friday - Sunday 10.00 - 16.00. The Rest of the time of year: Tuesday-Thursday 11.00 - 18.00, Friday - Sunday 10.00 - 16.00.

Aurajoki-river

The silent wonderful Aurajoki-river saw very much during existence on its coasts the city of Turku.
It is very pleasant to walk on quay and to admire a beauty of the old city, ducks and swans.

The Baltic-sea gulf

Before our travel I thought that on our way from Turku to Stockholm we should meet only Aland Islands.
I have been very surprised having found out, that between Finland and Sweden there are about 10000 islands generally uninhabited!

Turku - Stockholm

The basic sight of Turku for us became a ferry. For this reason we have appeared in this city. Our task was to be forwarded through the sea from Finland to Sweden.
There are some variants of the decision of this task. We have chosen Turku and have not regretted.
Ferry Silja-line has two regular cruises in day up to Stockholm - in the day time and at night. We have chosen a night cruise.
The price of one cabin of a tourist class has made 68 euros for two persons. The price of transportation of our car - 42 euros.

Silja-line ferry

Departure of the ferry is at 21.15. It is necessary to arrive with a car by 20.15. Loading on the ferry occupies about an hour.
Time in a way up to Stockholm is about 9 hours. According to a difference in time between Finland and Sweden which is 1 hour a ferry arrives to Stockholm at 7.00.
It is very convenient to overcome 300 kilometres at night and have a good sleep!

European E18 motorway

Finland was a transit country for us. We have taken an advantage of E18 motorway to pass from a border of Russia through Finland to Turku. Our way across Finland from Valimma up to Turku has made 350 kilometres.
E18 motorway represents mostly an autobahn though still there are some parts where it represents a usual highway. Restriction of speed on a motorway is 120 kilometres in an hour, on highway - 100 kilometres.
Therefore the whole distance can be overcome easily for 4 hours.

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