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Come and give your class in the museum! The Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum offers guided tours for comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools and vocational institutes.
A visit to the museum is a great way to complement traditional teaching, and you can combine it with many different subjects. Let us know your wishes for the tour so that we can plan a visit most suitable for your group.
When the houses in Luostarinmäki were being furnished as workshops for the museum, many craftsmen came to help. They donated equipment and sometimes even whole workshops. The museum’s workshops are in full function today, and every summer craftsmen of different trades come to work in them.
The Guild of the Golden Apple (Kultaisen Omenan Kilta) is a crucial support system for the museum, and it was indeed founded to act as a link between the craftsmen and the museum. The Guild gets its name from the tourism award presented to the museum in 1984.
The houses and courtyards in Luostarinmäki illuminate the way of living in the 18th and 19th centuries. The very first inhabitants built small dwellings which were later extended to include extra rooms and outhouses.
The only way into the courtyard was through a gate that had a sign above it indicating the address of the house in question. However, not all streets had names or the houses addresses before the fire of 1827 in Turku. The only information as to which address you were in, was the name of the quarter and the number of the plot.
Luostarinmäki is the only continuous district of wooden houses that survived the fire of 1827 in Turku. These houses are over 200 years old and still standing in their original building sites. Luostarinmäki used to be on the edge of town, where land was cheap. This meant that craftsmen of lesser means moved to the district and lived in a rural subsistence economy.
The natural sciences track of Turun Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu Upper Secondary School has a special task granted by the Ministry of Education. It is possible to emphasize natural science subjects – physics, chemistry, biology and geography – at the upper secondary school, and on certain conditions to leave out eight mandatory courses from other subjects, respectively. It is also possible to focus on one or two natural science subjects according to postgraduate study ambitions. Students at the natural science track get a versatile base for higher education studies.
The marine study track of Turun Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu Upper Secondary School emphasizes mathematical and natural science subjects, the Baltic Sea, sea environment and marine research, as well as seafaring and entrepreneurship. Also seafaring and tourism courses are offered as special courses.
Turun klassillinen Upper Secondary School is a national upper secondary school of expressive arts (arts/communication). The expressive arts studies are composed of theatre, dance and media courses. Approximately 40 expressive arts courses are available annually. The syllabus of expressive arts is 12 courses. Students who complete the entire syllabus may leave out a maximum of 8 mandatory upper secondary school courses from their curriculum.
In the music study track of the upper secondary school it is possible to add plenty of music courses of all sorts. Available are, for example, choirs, an orchestra, singing and instrument lessons, bands, composing, music expression and conducting. The selection varies annually.
The upper secondary school conducts international co-operation and the students get valuable experiences from tours abroad and while hosting return visits.
The building resides on a high hill. There is a fully accessible path behind the building. The exhibition is fully accessible.
Read more on the Turku for all accessibility site.
Enjoy the historical surroundings of the Old Great Square!
The preserved and historical Old Great Square offers cosy surroundings, which are ideal for a variety of leisure and cultural activities.
See, experience, participate
The area houses several art galleries and the Artoteque. Varied cultural and art events, concerts and theatre performances are organised within the premises of the Old Great Square.
In addition, several outdoor events are organised, the most renowned are the Medieval Fair and the Christmas Fair in the Old Great Square.
Situated in the historical setting of the Old Great Square, the gallery features interesting temporary exhibitions.
The gallery is located on the second floor with access through the staircase. There is no lift in the building.
The exhibition space
Brinkkala Gallery is a unique and fascinating exhibition space. Located on the second floor, the gallery can be reached via the mansion’s beautiful stair hall. The gallery comprises two back-to-back rooms with high ceilings. The long sides of the rooms are lined with windows.
The cafeteria is located in the Pharmacy Museum's inner courtyard. We serve home-made pastries that have been prepared according to recepies from the 18th century. The inner courtyard is a cosy playground for children.
For opening hours, please visit the cafe's website.
The entrance to the museum can be found in the courtyard, which is accessible from Läntinen Rantakatu and Linnankatu.
The nearest parking spaces are located in the same block on Aurakatu and Linnankatu. You can drive into the parking area from Linnankatu. The nearest wheelchair-accessible parking space is located in the same parking area, close to the Aura River.
Ticket sales end at the museum 20 minutes before closing time.
Admission fees
- Adults 7 €
- Children 7–15 yrs. 2,50 €
- Children under 7 yrs. have free admission.
- Families 16 €
- Concessions 3,50 €
- Groups -25 %
- Groups, schools and students à 2,50 €
We accept cash payments. Card payments are preferable due to health and security reasons in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic.
Welcome to the museum!
The Qwensel House is the oldest remaining wooden building in Turku. The museum features a bourgeois home from the 18th century and a pharmacy from the 19th century under one roof.
The entrance to the museum is in the courtyard, where you will find ticket sales and the museum shop.
The introductory exhibition will provide you with what you need to know before your visit to the museum. You can also explore the house with the help of a museum guide, guide book, audible guide or map.
The peaceful and idyllic Café Kisälli is located in a wooden building dating back to the 1850s, right next to the museum. The range of products includes both savory pies and sweet pastries.
The museum is located less than one kilometre from the Market Square.
By bus
Routes 12 and 18 stop near the museum on Kaskenkatu. Routes 3, 13 and 61 will take you to Uudenmaankatu.
Parking
Parking is allowed along the streets near the museum. Please note time limits to the allowed parking times, and remember to use a parking disc when required.
On the map
Vartiovuorenkatu 2, Turku
NuortenTurku is an information and guidance service for those under the age of 29.
In NuortenTurku you can search for information by yourself or with help from an employee. During opening hours you can visit either with or without an appointment. You can also send your questions via e-mail, Facebook, WhatsApp, or call us by phone.
Examples of matters that NuortenTurku can help you with:
Turku's Sports Park is situated at the city center along the east bank of the Aurajoki river. The area is not just for sports and exercise, but the park is also a substantial recreational area with cultural and historical value.
The Sports Park is used by a variety of sports teams and clubs as well as by individual athletes. The sports facilities are meant for both exercise and competition use.
Facilities at the Sports Park:
Users of the Stadium must ensure that they follow the instructions of authorities regarding safety distances, good hand hygiene and coughing correctly for avoiding corona virus.
Paavo Nurmi Stadium provides great settings for athletics.
Mainly just track and field clubs are allowed to make reservations for Paavo Nurmi Stadium. Outside reserved hours the stadium is in public use. Check the reservations from the Timmi reservation planner.
Time travel through the history of Finland
Explore the history of Turku by taking the Heart of Finland route. At the same time you will learn about the development of the region of the river Aura and Turku. Walk, run or cycle, the choice is yours.
The route starts from the Turku city centre and continues through the Maaherran Makasiini to the Old Castle of Lieto. The length of the route is 11.5 km. There are 12 information boards along the route.
Become familiar with Turku architecture
Familiarize yourself with Turku city center architecture by taking the ArchitecTOUR route. The route introduces the city's architecture and how it has changed. Walk, run or cycle, the choice is yours.
There are two route options: you may choose a shorter or a longer version. The total length of both routes is 9.63 km.
Explore the mysteries of Turku
What kind of strange things have happened in the Kupittaa lido and on the Aura riverside? Where is the second secret passage of Turku located? Take the Amazing Turku route and you will find out! Walk, run or cycle, the choice is yours.
The route starts from the city centre, goes around the Samppalinna lido and continues to the Student Village. The length of the Amazing Turku route is 4.8 km.
Work out in the stairs of Turku
Add stairs to your route and get in shape in a fun way! One step up the stairs is equivalent to ten steps on flat ground. In the city center area there are three Stepping It Up routes containing lots of stairs. At the same time you can familiarize yourself with the history of Turku.
The lengths of the routes are 2 km, 9 km and 11 km.