Turku Old Town
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Turku Old Town is located on „This” side of river (apart from „the other”, means Western, site) and concentrate around Old Great Square. The most important building is Turku Cathedral, consecrated in 1300. To the other belongs Old Town Hall, and two monumental mansions separated by narrow cable-stone streets.
In Old town are located also several museums, like Sebelius museum of Music or Aboa Vetus and Arts Nova museum. The last one was designed as a contemporary art museum, but archaeological works uncovered forgotten old city buildings. Today museum host both – exhibition of contemporary art and archaeological history of Turku.
Te old city lost part of its importance after great fire in 1827, when 75% of city surface was destroyed. The oldest Finnish university was then moved to Helsinki, and the city was renovated in the new style. The only part, which resist from fire was Cloister hill (Luostarinmäki), which is now turn into open air handicraft museum.
