Turku Castle was built on a rocky island at the mouth of the river Aura in the 1280's. The military camp developed into a massive administrative castle by the end of the Middle Ages. It has been a scene of many battles, but also many cultural currents have spread to Finland through it. The 16th century was the heyday of the castle, as pompous Renaissance court life was led there. The castle and the cathedral, which are of the same age, have both been symbols of the city of Turku for centuries.

In the 1280's the king of Sweden appointed the first prefect in Finland, Carl Gustafsson. The building of the military camp in Turku started. Finland's po-sition in the government machinery of Sweden was established.

At the beginning of the 14th century the rectangular fortress, which had been made of greystone with two gate towers and wall-walks, was changed into an administrative castle. The medieval King's Statehall was completed. King Magnus Eriksson visited the castle twice.

At the end of the 14th century Bo Jonsson Grip among others extended the castle, and the vaults of the king's hall were rebuilt. The south wing was raised by its whole length.

At the turn of the fifteen hundreds the cross vaulted church of the north wing was built and named after Sten Sture the Elder.

In the middle of the 16th century, in the reign of Gustaf Vasa, the Renais-sance floor and some staircase towers were built. Gustaf Vasa's son Johan was appointed Duke of Finland.

From 1556 to 1563 building work on the castle continued. Duke Johan and his Polish spouse Catharina Jagellonica led sumptuous court life there for eight months. King Eric XIV's troops conquered the castle and the ducal couple was captured and later imprisoned in Sweden.

From 1570 to 1571 King Eric XIV was held locked up in the hexagonal tower of the Bailey.

In 1614 the main castle was destroyed by fire during King Gustav II Ad-olph's visit. Minor renovations were carried out. The Bailey would be the fo-cus of court life.

In 1623 the Turku Court of Appeal started functioning at the castle.

In 1635 the residence of the governor and the provincial offices were placed in Turku Castle.

From 1637 to 1640 and from 1648 to 1651 Per Brahe, the Governor Gen-eral, with his officials lived in Turku Castle and made visits of inspection to different parts of Finland.

From 1713 to 1721 Russian troops inhabited the castle until the Treaty of Uusikaupunki.

In the 1770's the Bailey was changed into a prison, crown distillery and grain store. The prison would be in use until 1891.

In 1881 the Historical Museum of the City of Turku started functioning at the castle.

In 1941, at the beginning of the continuation war, the main castle was badly damaged by bombs.

In 1961 the restoration, started after the war, was completed. The castle was restored partly in its medieval, partly in its Renaissance shape. The ap-pearance is as it used to be in the 18th century.

From 1975 to 1986 the Bailey was restored.

From 1987 to 1993 technical renovations were made, and the auditorium was completed in the main castle.

Today there are exhibitions on the history of the town and rooms represent-ing styles of the 17th to 19th centuries. Besides, there is a coin and medal cabinet. Some examples illustrating the history of the castle are the minia-ture model of Duke Johan's Renaissance Court with dolls in contemporary costumes, King Eric XIV's prison cell, Per Brahe's hall, the prison of the round tower and the Gnome's treasury.

In the main castle there are miniature models presenting the stages of build-ing the castle, and in the exhibition halls of the attic there are specialities of the museum collections on show. Toys from various periods interest chil-dren and adults as well. The tour of the main castle consists of 25 rooms and the bailey of more than 30 rooms.

Varying exhibitions are arranged as well as events for families, seminars and concerts. The church in Turku Castle is one of the most popular wed-ding churches. In the museum shop called Fatabur you can buy publica-tions, textiles, presents and souveniers. In Duke Johan's Cellar you can en-joy both salty and sweet products.