A Glimpse of Finnish Art & History
Duration: 4 1/2 hours
Tour Code: TKU-002
Art aficionados will delight in this tour of Turku's finest museums, where the emphasis is on Finnish art and history.
Your tour commences from the pier with a drive to the nearby Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum, a unique and fascinating attraction of underground ruins and contemporary art. It's a highly unusual combination. Walking below ground through the Aboa Vetus, which is the historical section of the museum, you'll behold the remains of cellars and streets from the Middle Ages that have been excavated to show the various layers of the ancient city. Adding to the realism, the artifacts have been kept exactly as they were found.
Above these ruins lies the former Rettig palace, which now serves as a contemporary art museum known as the Ars Nova. While much of the work is Finnish, the diverse collection frequently changes to include international masters of 20th-century art, from Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol.
Continuing on, you'll next tour the Turku Art Museum, which opened in 1904. While there is an emphasis on Surrealistic and Pop Art, the museum also contains thousands of masterpieces from the Golden Age of Finnish Art, circa 1880-1910.
Your tour closes with a visit to the open-air Handicrafts Museum that has you stepping back in time. This section of the city contains the only surviving buildings from the 18th century, as fires destroyed much of ancient Turku. As you wander about the many workshops, which include a silversmith, watchmaker, bakery and printing press, feel free to ask questions of the artisans dressed in period costumes. Your guided visit will be followed by some free time for shopping. Afterwards, you'll return to the pier.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 3 hours of moderate walking that includes negotiating sandy terrain and a considerable amount of steps and stairs at the Aboa Vetus Museum and the Turku Art Museum. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests and not considered suitable for those with mobility concerns. Weather appropriate clothing; a light sweater or jacket (temperatures at the Aboa Vetus excavations are around 60?F); sun cap; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour sequence may vary.