The ‘mother church’ of Finland’s Lutheran faith, Turku Cathedral towers over the town. Consecrated in 1300, the colossal brick Gothic building was rebuilt many times over the centuries after damaging fires.
Upstairs, a small museum traces the stages of the cathedral’s construction, and contains medieval sculptures and religious paraphernalia.
Free summer organ concerts take place at 8pm Tuesday and 2pm Wednesday. English-language services are held at 4pm every Sunday except the last of the month year-round.
The cathedral's pulpit was designed by German architect CL Engel (who in the spirit of impartiality also built the Orthodox church on the market square). Romantic frescoes by RW Ekman depict the baptism of Finland’s first bishop and Gustav Wasa presenting the nation with the first Finnish New Testament. Its most famous tomb belongs to Karin Månsdotter (d 1613), Queen of Sweden and wife of the unfortunate Erik XIV.
Listen out for the distinctive hourly bell, broadcast across the country at noon via the radio station YLE1 – a patriotic reminder of the Continuation War, when Finns were urged to pray together for victory at this designated hour.
