Turku

; Turku – Åbo
	Turun kaupunki; Åbo stad; City of Turku
Flag	Coat of arms
Country	Finland
Area (2009)
• Total	306.41 km2 (118.31 sq mi)
• Land	245.63 km2 (94.84 sq mi)
• Water	60.78 km2 (23.47 sq mi)
Area rank	282nd largest in Finland
Population (2013)
• Total	181,569
• Rank	5th largest in Finland
• Density	739.2/km2 (1,915/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	20000–20960
Website	www.turku.fi

Turku (Swedish: Åbo) is a city in Southwest Finland. It is the fifth-largest city in Finland, with about 180,000 people living there.

It is next to the municipalities of Aura, Kaarina, Lieto, Masku, Mynämäki, Naantali, Nousiainen, Pöytyä, Raisio and Rusko.

The official languages spoken in Turku are Finnish and Swedish.

The harbour of Turku is an important port. Many ships go from there to Mariehamn and to Stockholm. Turku Airport is also one of Finland's busiest airports.

Turku is located near the mouth of Aura river, and is spreads at both sides of the river. There are ten bridges over the Aura river in Turku.

History

Turku is the oldest city in the country. it was founded in 13th century, when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. It used to be the largest city and capital of Finland. From 1809 Russia ruled Finland, and in 1812 the government moved to Helsinki.^[2] A big fire destroyed much of Turku in 1827. After that, even the university moved to Helsinki.^[3]

The first school in Finland was established in Turku, the old Cathedral school in 13th century. The first university in Finland, "The Royal Academy of Turku" was established in the city in 1640, but it has moved to Helsinki and become the University of Helsinki. Now there are five universities in Turku: three in Finnish language and two in Swedish language.^[3]

Museums and other sights

The medieval Turku Castle as seen from the harbour side.
Turku Museum of Art is a classical example of Romantic nationalism in architecture.
Pharmacy museum.
The Court of Appeal.
Luostarinmäki handicraft museum.
Michael's Church
Martin's Church
Western side of Aura River in central Turku.
Turku Orthodox Church stands next to the main Market Square.
Brinkhall Manor in Kakskerta island.
Kakskerta Church.
Old Mill in Samppalinna.