Turku Castle

Lonely Planet review

The mammoth Turku Castle, near the ferry terminals, is a must for everyone visiting the city and is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Founded in 1280 at the mouth of the Aurajoki, the castle has been growing ever since. Notable occupants have included Count Per Brahe, founder of many towns in Finland, who lived here in the 17th century, and Sweden's King Eric XIV, who was imprisoned in the castle's Round Tower in the late 16th century, having been declared insane.

Highlights include two dungeons and magnificent banqueting halls, as well as a fascinating historical museum of medieval Turku in a maze of restored rooms in the castle's old bailey. A series of models in the main part of the castle shows its growth from a simple island fortress to medieval castle.

Guided tours of the stronghold area are given hourly in English. They give a good account of the castle's history but do not visit the Renaissance rooms on the upper floor, or the extensive museums in the bailey section of the castle, so you should allow time to explore those yourself, before or after a tour.