A Train Journey to Turku: Explore its History and Nature

Leaving the capital city, I took a train from Helsinki to Turku. I was amazed how punctual the train was on arrival, and how quiet it was. One can barely notice the movement of the train even when it traveled up to 185km/h. Along the journey I enjoyed seeing the Finnish landscape pass, and after only 2 hours with 1 transfer I arrived in the oldest city of Finland: Turku, a city rich in history, culture and nature.

Turku Biological Museum

As someone interested in nature, I enjoyed learning about Finland’s diverse ecosystems at the historic museum established in 1907. The museum has an impressive collection of 30 Finnish mammals and 143 bird species that are shown across the 13 displays. I enjoyed seeing the different animals that lived in the wetlands, forest, countryside, wilderness areas in the mountains, seaside and gardens. The information on the displays were also available in English, with a really informative audio guide. This is the first museum that captured my full attention where I absorbed as much information as possible. Hearing the sounds of the animals, seeing videos of their behaviour was very interesting for me.

Luostarinmäki Open-Air Museum

Another museum that captured my interest was the open air museum which showed life in Turku from the early 1800’s, having survived the great fire of Turku. Although I listened to sections of the audio guide, and read some of the information available at the different houses. It is quite a lengthy trip to visit each of the houses and go through all the information available. However, I must say that the audio guide and information boards did a really good job setting the scene of the vibrant life at the village, telling stories of people who lived there: a seamstress, cobbler, copper smith, photographer, a maid and a musician – to name a few. It also showed one of the very lucky occupants who had electricity in their house that powered their lighting. There are actors at the houses dressed in traditional clothing who you can learn more from.

One thing I found very peculiar at the Turku houses, including the rich occupants, is the size of the beds. They were absolutely tiny! At the time of my visit I assumed the beds were extendable, but they were not! After doing some research I discovered that one would need to curl into the fetal position or sleep in a semi-upright position to fit on the bed. This was typical of the era, for current health, safety and convenience reasons. The houses were also small, so having a small bed that could be used as a “daybed” that could be used as a sofa during the day, and a place to sleep during the night was advantageous. People where also smaller and shorter a few centuries ago.

I also enjoyed learning about the use of sod roofs which is a traditional building technical used in Scandanavia. Having grass on the roof helps with insulation keeping houses warm in winter, and cool in summer; waterproofing on top of layers of birch bark; and compressing log walls to make them more airtight. It is a relatively inexpensive and readily available building material.

Turku Castle

Turku Castle was built over 700 years ago as a stronghold for the Swedish rulers. Starting out as a fortified camp in the 14th century, it gradually was built into the structure seen today. It has survived many sieges over the centuries, a devastating fire in the 1600’s and damage during the Second World War. It was subsequently restored and rebuilt over the years.

At the castle you can learn more about the rulers of the time and battles through which they lived. There is a gift store available where you can buy a souvenir.

the qwensel house & pharmacy museum

At The Qwensel House you can learn more about a time in history over 2 centuries. The Qwensel House is Turku’s oldest remaining building which was built in the 1700’s. Having survived the great fire of Turku, it shows what life looked like for the wealthy middle class during that time. In the 1800’s part of the house was converted into a pharmacy, making it the oldest surviving pharmacy interior in Finland. At the pharmacy you can see what the dispensary, herb room and laboratories look like, and have a slice of their delicious cake at the cafe.

Turku Market Hall & Turku Market Square

The indoor Turku Market Hall has been around since 1896, making it the second oldest Market Hall in Finland. In the historic building, the vendors offer a great selection of local cuisine.

Turku Market Square has been a market place since the 17th century, and today offers a vibrant mix of vendors, with stalls overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, colorful flowers, tempting ice cream, and savory treats like grilled sausages and pancakes. Don’t forget to grab a coffee!

Forum Marinum

At the Forum Marinum, not too far from the castle, you can learn about Finland’s history of seafaring and ship building. There are two museums at the Forum Marinum that you can visit: the national maritime museum and the Finnish Navy museum.

Turku Cathedral

The Cathedral in Turku has dominated the skyline of the city for over 7 centuries. At the Cathedral you can delve deeper into the cathedral’s history by visiting the small museum located within. It houses a collection of fascinating artifacts and has an entrance fee of €2 per adult.

During my visit I enjoyed the market which had a variety of vendors selling delicious meals and drinks.

Turku Art Museum

Housed in a beautifully designed early 20th century building, the Turku Art museum has a great collection of artworks from the late 19th and 20th centuries, surrealism and pop art. The cafe at the museum offers a cozy atmosphere to grab a bite, and a terrace with great views if you wish to sit outside.