Description of the attraction
Turku Cathedral, Finland's main Lutheran church and its national shrine. The cathedral is the oldest and most valuable monument in the history of Finland. Its history is closely connected with the centuries-old history of its people. It is not only a museum, a functioning church, but also a venue for concerts. The patrons of the cathedral are the Holy Virgin Mary and the first Finnish bishop, Saint Henrik. Until the end of the 1700s, burials were carried out in the cathedral. In different parts of the church you can see memorial plaques and stone tombstones.
Over the past centuries, wars, robberies and fires have significantly ravaged the cathedral. However, some of the treasures have survived and are on display in the museum, which is located in the southern gallery. The exposition of the museum tells about the historical stages of the church and church life, starting from the 1300s. Presented are medieval statues of saints and altar accessories, both domestic and made abroad, of which the most famous is the ablution bowl. The time that followed the era of the Reformation is widely represented by textiles and silver items of church decoration, which are perfect in their skill. In the museum you can also get acquainted with the stages of the construction of the church.
