Turku is located at the mouth of the Aurajoki River in southern Finland. The fifth largest city in Finland can be reached via its own airport or by ferry.


There are daily ferry connections via Mariehamn to Stockholm in Sweden. Turku belongs to the cold temperate climate zone, the average annual temperature is five degrees Celsius. In the month of July, temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius are reached during the day, while in the coldest month of February they are above minus seven degrees. In August, it rains frequently.
Archaeological finds prove that the area was already settled in the Stone Age, trade and agriculture were practiced in the Iron Age. In 1229 Turku was appointed bishop’s seat by the Swedes. During the Middle Ages, Turku was the most important city in Finland, although it was under Swedish administration until 1471. The castle was developed into the largest northern fortification in the 16th century. Under the reign of Gustav II Adolf, Turku received a court court as well as a gymnasium. In addition, he was the founder of the university “Academy of Turku” in 1640.
In Turku, called Abo in Swedish, there are about 160,000 inhabitants. The city is located at the mouth of the Aura River on the Gulf of Bothnia, protected by an archipelago belt. The year of foundation is considered to be a papal letter from the year 1229. Turku was the capital of Finland until 1812. At that time, the Russian tsar declared Helsinki as the capital, since this city was closer to St. Petersburg. Turku is the third largest city in the country after Helsinki and Tampere. It is the seat of the Protestant archbishop and a university town. In the summer months, many folk music and folk dance performances are held here. There are many medieval monuments to admire in the city, such as the 700-year-old cathedral or the 13th-century castle.
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