We sailed overnight across the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia and through the islands of southwest Finland in to the city of Turku. Turku is a city of great historic significance following its establishment in the 13th century and numerous invasions subsequently. For a long time it effectively served as the capital of Finland, and officially became the capital under Russian rule. Today it is of less official significance, but its history lives on within the modern, vibrant city.
This morning we began with a number of tours of the old city. Turku’s mediaeval and early modern history has been made very accessible through careful excavation and preservation of its ruins. The main archaeological museum is largely housed underground in the ruined foundations of a number of mediaeval structures. Knowledgeable local guides provided narration and context to the site itself and its finds, evoking an image of the mediaeval city. Related to this was a visit to an open air museum of crafts, housed in a reconstructed area of the old wooden city. Craftspeople in the dress of the time demonstrated traditional skills. Others of us visited the castle, which formed a major part of the city’s history and remains a monument to its role as a seat of power.
The distance onward to Tallinn was short, so we had an opportunity to explore the town a bit for lunch and much of the afternoon. We then set sail for our final destination under blue skies, through the forested islands of the Finnish archipelago.
