Turku Castle
About Turku Castle
The Turku Castle, (Finnish: Turun linna, Swedish: Åbo slott) dating from the 1280s, is a monument of Finnish history. Together with the Cathedral of Turku, Turku castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. Turku castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland, and one of the largest surviving medieval castles in Scandinavia. This national monument standing on the banks of Aura river has experienced many stages for more than 700 years.
A start was made on building the castle in 1280. It was originally designed as a military fortress. During the next two centuries its defences were strengthened and living quarters were added. The castle served as a bastion and administrative centre of Eastland, as Finland was then know during it's time under Swedish rule. Turku Castles significance as a defensive fortress and administrative centre varied throughout the ages according to the political situation. Today the castle is once more experiencing a hayday as it has achieved the status of being one of Finland's most visited museums.
A start was made on building the castle in 1280. It was originally designed as a military fortress. During the next two centuries its defences were strengthened and living quarters were added. The castle served as a bastion and administrative centre of Eastland, as Finland was then know during it's time under Swedish rule. Turku Castles significance as a defensive fortress and administrative centre varied throughout the ages according to the political situation. Today the castle is once more experiencing a hayday as it has achieved the status of being one of Finland's most visited museums.
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First To Review:
Oct 24, 2008
Turku Castle was founded on an island on the estuary of Aurajoki River in the 1280s as the administrative castle of the Swedish Crown. The castle was originally built in the form of a rectangular fortified camp. The fortified camp became a closed castle in the early 14th century, and the castle was divided into a main castle and bailey. Under the Swedish Duke Johan between 1556 and 1563, Turku Castle was renovated into a handsome renaissance castle; this is when its main features became the size they are today. In the 1630s the bailey became the official residence for Pietari Brahe, the governor general of Finland. In the late 18th century, after the county governor and Higher Regional Court had moved from the castle to town, the castle underwent significant changes. The bailey became a prison and the main castle became a granary. The castle functioned as a prison until the 1890s after which the historical museum was placed in the bailey. Turku Castle was badly damaged by the bombings in 1941. The fully repaired castle was opened to the public in 1961. Turku Castle is a significant landmark at the mouth of Aurajoki River, and it is surrounded by the harbour and the small-scale industry and strorage areas that go with it. The Castle is part of the Finnish cultural and architectural heritage as an architectural monument, a museum and as premises for distinguished celebrations.
Oct 20, 2009
The most ancient and biggest castle of Finland stands on the right (northern) coast of Aurajoki near its mouth. It is one of the beautiful monuments of the Finnish national culture, leading its history from 1280 when Castle was constructed by Swedes.
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