Turku, Finland/024
Previous | Home | NextThe walk from the Port of Turku to central Turku. The famous castle is announced in three languages, common for Finland: Turun Linna (Finnish), Åbo Slott (Swedish), and Turku Castle. Ninety percent of Turku speak Finnish, 5% speak Swedish. Turku dates from the 13th century, being the oldest city in Finland and once its capital. "Turku" comes from a Slavic word meaning "market place." Turku, under Swedish influence since the 13th century and part of the Swedish empire during the 17th century, was named Åbo (Swedish, "dwelling by the river"). After the Finish War Sweden ceded Finland to Russia in 1809.
