Turku-Finland´s Oldest Town

Culture and History tour in Turku

Tour Price : €580-750 Duration : 8-12 hours Languages: English, French Discount: Special additions available for your tour.

This is a special tour to see the oldest town of Finland. Group size is possible up to 8 people!

Please note: This trip always leaves from the capital of Finland, HELSINKI. I am Helsinki based guide. It is an all-day tour, so if you stay in Helsinki, Finland at least 2-3 days this is a great trip for one day. Turku is located on the West-Coast of Finland, it takes about 2 hours to drive there from Helsinki. Turku was the capital of Finland for centuries when we were part of the Swedish kingdom. When Russia took over Finland in 1809, Helsinki became the new capital soon after that.

We will see the old castle of Turku, I will tell you interesting things about the castle and life in the medieval ages. We will see also other interesting historic places around Turku, old handicrafts village, original bourgeoise home from the 17-hudreds and the original Turku cathedral from 13th century. A lunch is possible for example at a restaurant called "School" which is located in old school building. This tour is suitable for children also, but due to many stairs in old castle and other sites it is not recommended to small children or people with any walking problems.

About the Turku Castle: The history of the castle starts in 1280´s as first being the command center for the King of Sweden, and soldiers´base. During the following centuries it grew to be a true stone castle. Gustave Vasa, the king of Sweden nominated his son, Juhan, to be the duke of Finland in 1556. A new era started then, the renaissance period in Finnish history. The castle has many interesting halls and corridors, you can feel how you go back in centuries, you can feel yourself as the duke of the castle or a countess of Finland 500 years ago. Be careful when you enter the dim narrow medieval stairways, there may be a ghost coming up the same stairs and you feel the cold breeze. Could be a soldier from 14th or 12th century still wandering around the castle! I have now a lot of experience in Turku, and I will do my best so that you will have an unforgettable day in the oldest town of Finland.

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