Castle
Turku Castle
Turku, Finland
A medieval castle at the mouth of the Aura river, containing museum exhibits and period rooms.
City · Finland · Southwest Finland
Turku
A historic river city on the south-west coast with a medieval castle, a cathedral and access to the archipelago.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Turku matters
Turku was Finland's capital before Helsinki and still feels like a city with a long memory. The Aura river runs through the centre, lined with old boats, cafés and terraces, while a medieval castle guards the harbour and a big brick cathedral stands on a hill. From here ferries and bike routes lead into the Archipelago Sea, a maze of thousands of islands that is one of the most beautiful parts of southern Finland.
Talking points
- Turku was the most important city in Finland long before Helsinki took over.
- The Aura river is the social heart of town in summer.
- It is the gateway to the Archipelago Sea and its thousands of islands.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
What to see in Turku
Church, mosque or temple
Turku Cathedral
Turku, Finland
Finland's mother church, a medieval brick cathedral beside the Aura river.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.