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Turku Castle | Turun linna | Åbo slott
Our trip to Turku Castle began with a 14 euro entrance fee. Since it was January, our first month in Finland, we didn't have the museum card yet. The castle is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with ticket sales ending at 5:30pm. It's closed on Mondays.
Our day at Turku Castle began with a delicious lunch at the castle restaurant for €13.50 each. We left our coats in a room with a full-length mirror and chairs.
Our journey began with the story of Jordan's Chamber. Accused of bigamy, Jordan was imprisoned for five years before his execution. We then saw a wooden baby Jesus statue that had been inexplicably cut in half.
Next, the staff guided us through the collection of wooden statues from The Sture Church, dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The story of St. Laurentius, who refused to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor Valerian and instead gave to the poor, was particularly moving. This act of defiance led to his burning at the stake.
The tour continued with exhibits showcasing the castle's transformation through the centuries, with models depicting its expansion. The knowledgeable staff truly enhanced the experience - their informative explanations were well worth the 14 euro entry fee!
Mikko read the labyrinth's purpose – to trap any evil spirits entering through the window.
Next came the eerie 8-meter dungeon, the sole entry and exit point for prisoners.
The "Princess's Journey Room" was a stark contrast, featuring a video demonstrating how a princess dressed with the help of two assistants! This room also recounted the story of Catherine Jagiellon and Duke John, who were attacked by King Eric XIV due to his disapproval of their marriage. The couple and the castle endured a week-long cannon fire from an army ten times their size (10,000 against 1200). A dedicated exhibit even allows visitors to experience the bombardment firsthand.
Our exploration continued with a visit to the castle church with its organ, the vestry (formerly Duke John's room and considered the most important part of the castle). The grand King's Hall, available for rent today, stood right next to the Queen's Hall. We also explored the Queen's Chamber, dressing room and the ladies' drawing room. The sheer size of Turku Castle became apparent as we moved on - a thorough exploration would definitely take several hours.
Following the Ladies' Drawing Room, Mikko explained the purpose of the spiral staircase design. We then saw exhibits showcasing jewelry, fancy hats, miniature houses, and more.
The exhibits continued with information about the Winter War, where Finland fought the Soviet Union for 105 days, ultimately resulting in defeat. We also learned about the Great Famine of 1697, which claimed the lives of a third of the Finnish population.
We couldn't miss the small prison cell of King Eric XIV, the one who had attacked his brother and his brother's wife. Duke John imprisoned him here before his alleged arsenic poisoning death. Visitors can see his entire room through a barred window, with his bed, chair, table, and chest displayed.
Next, we entered the Turku Castle Knights' Hall, filled with impressive suits of armor, shields, swords, and even a wooden horse. Here, you can even try on some costumes for free!
Our exploration continued with exhibits showcasing coins from the 16th to 19th centuries, medals, old credit cards, and paper bills. Finally, we came across a display featuring a statue of three ladies, a harp, and what seemed to be kitchen, marking the end of our visit.
A few hours flew by, and before we knew it, it was already evening.
I highly recommend visiting Turku Castle - it's a journey through history you won't forget!