Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

Top choice in Turku


Art and archaeology unite here under one roof. Aboa Vetus (Old Turku) draws you underground to Turku’s medieval streets, showcasing some of the 37,000 artefacts unearthed from the site (digs still continue). Back in the present, Ars Nova has contemporary-art exhibitions upstairs. English-language tours lasting 45 minutes (included in admission) take place daily from 11.30am in July and August.

The themed Turku Biennaali (www.turkubiennaali.fi) takes place here in the summer of odd-numbered years.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Turku attractions

1. Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo

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When the savage Great Fire of 1827 swept through Turku, the lower-class quarter Luostarinmäki escaped the flames. Set along tiny lanes and around grassy…

2. Qwensel House & Pharmacy Museum

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On the riverfront, Qwensel House is Turku’s oldest, built around 1700. It contains the small Pharmacy Museum, with an old laboratorium featuring medicinal…

3. Turun Tuomiokirkko

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The ‘mother church’ of Finland’s Lutheran faith, Turku Cathedral towers over Turku. Consecrated in 1300, the colossal brick Gothic building was rebuilt…

4. Sibelius Museum

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Finland's most extensive musical museum displays some 350 instruments from accordions to Zimbabwean drums. A separate section is devoted to Finnish…

5. Ett Hem Museum

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Designed by CL Engel, this gold-coloured turn-of-the-20th-century residence houses art and furniture that was donated by art collectors Alfred and Hélène…

6. Turku Biological Museum

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7. Turun Taidemuseo

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8. Wäinö Aaltosen Museum

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