Turku Castle

Meet the fascinating history of Turku Castle

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Turku Castle

A medieval building in the city of Turku in Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use and the largest surviving medieval building in Finland. It was founded in the late 13th century and stands on the banks of the Aura River.

Turku Castle (Turun linna) is a more than 700 year old historical monument. It has stood guard over the river Aura estuary since the 1280’s. Its granite stone walls hold within them the history of Finland, Sweden and the other Nordic countries. The history of Turku Castle begins in the 1280’s. During the centuries the fortification gradually changed into a grand greystone palace.
In 1556, King Gustav Vasa named his son Johan Duke of Finland. The era of Johan marked a new phase in the construction of the Castle. The renaissance halls were built during this period, which also marked the beginning of the reneissance era in Finland.
In the 17th century, the Governor General of Finland Per Brahe held court in the Bailey. Gradually the administrative centre moved out of the by then old castle, and gave way to a prison. It also served as a storehouse and as barracks.
In the 1941 bombings the castle was left in ruins. After the end of the war restaurations began. Nowadays the periods of construction can be seen in labyrinthine passages, walled up doors and windows and in mysterious staircases.
The castle is Finland’s most visited museum, with attendance reaching 200,000 in some years. In addition, many of the larger rooms are used for municipal functions.

Step inside and let yourself be absorbed by the fascinating history of Turku Castle! The Museum Shop Fatabur offers a wide variety of high-quality products, many of which are hand-made locally. You can leave your review and photos at the bottom of this page. Enjoy your visit!