Old Town

The area of the Old Town is defined as extending from Tuomaanpuisto to the Fortuna block.

The Old Town of Turku covers the historical city centre and university area all the way from Piispankatu to the Fortuna block. While the heart of the city centre is expanding, the Old Town will gain the position it deserves as a tourist attraction and as a European oasis of encounters.

The objective is to increase and diversify the selection of services and events so that the area is active all year round. This is a collaborative effort with local operators and city residents.

In the heart of Old Town is the Old Great Square, where a strong presence of the academic and Christian roots of Finland can be felt still today. Several buildings with historical value are located there, Turku Cathedral being the most impressive landmark of the area. Development work taking place in the area both honours history and draws from it.

Development progresses

Demarcation of the historic center and university area in a development plan published in spring 2021.

The development of the Old Town will start in the area of Turku’s historical centre and the universities. It will extend from the vicinity of the Old Great Square all the way to Yliopistonmäki, bordered by the Aura River in the west and Hämeenkatu in the east. A development plan for the area provides the guidelines for the development work. The plan was made openly and interactively with city residents and the users of the area.

In the autumn of 2020, there was an open survey in which the city residents had a chance to share their views on the area. There were also interactive events during which the opportunities in the area of the historical centre and the universities were explored more in depth.

The development plan was completed during the spring 2021. The plan was made in collaboration by The University Properties of Finland ltd, The Åbo Akademi University Foundation, Parish Union of Turku and Kaarina, the City of Turku, University of Turku, Turku University Foundation, Turku Student Village Foundation and Åbo Akademi University. Assisting help was provided by Lundén Architecture Company and Demos Helsinki.

On November 22, 2021, the City Government approved the Old Town as a strategic land use project. At the same time, it confirmed the objectives of the project and the measures selected based on the development plan for the historic center of Turku and the university area. The development of the area will be continued interactively with the citizens and actors in the area.