The City of Turku
Turku in the South-western corner of Finland is the oldest city and the first capital of the whole country. Today it is the capital of its region, the Southwest Finland. The city celebrated her 775th birthday during the year 2004. Turku is often said to be the only West European town in Finland as all medieval European towns have four things in common: a river for transport, a cathedral for religious power, a castle that represent the secular power and last but not least - a market place for acts of commerce. Turku has them all!
Even the name of Turku originates from a Slavic word "torg" - meaning a market place. The Swedish name for the town is Åbo - referring to the first settlers by the river, "å". Turku was born along the river Aura and it is one of the best attractions of the town. All the main places of interest are located by the river from the unique national treasures the Castle in the harbour area up to the stately Cathedral close to the Old Great Square. The riverbanks are pulsing with life in summertime when people gather there to dine and wine, to listen to music and to have a good time. On good winters the river will get an ice coating turning it to a busy winter promenade.
Turku has a lively and versatile cultural life: several theatres, a city philharmonic orchestra, chamber music, jazz & rock etc. The Turku Music Festival and rockfestival Ruisrock are among the oldest in Finland and even in whole Scandinavia.
The art-exhibitions and permanent collections in the city museums and art galleries are highly estimated both in Finland and abroad. The Cultural Centre organises fine annual events. The best known of these are the Medieval Market at the end of July and the Old time Christmas market before Christmas. As Turku is also Finland's Christmas city there is a chain of events from the end of November through to the middle of January.
Today Turku is also a centre of IC- & BIO technology and education. It is the home of three universities, an Art academy and an important adult education centre. Thus Turku is also an ideal place to host meetings and congresses of scientific topics.
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