Aboa Vetus – Old Turku

The story of the only archaeological museum in Finland began in the 1990s, as a result of archaeological excavations conducted on the site. The 600-year-old area of excavated ruins was preserved in situ so that it could be displayed to the public.

In the underground museum Aboa Vetus you can see the remains of six medieval stonebuilt houses and walk along the Convent Riverfront, an early street. The remaining structures and archaeological findings provide us with a lot of information about the past of the museum site and its inhabitants over the centuries.

The museum’s archaeological research on the site is still ongoing. During the Middle Ages, the impressive stone-built houses in the Convent Quarter were inhabited by wealthy merchants. Turku was the second largest town in the realm of Sweden and a significant commercial, religious and administrative centre.

There is so much to explore for visitors of all ages. You can experience the past by doing things yourself or by playing. Write on a wax tablet, spin a whirligig or play with the dolls’ house that represents a merchant’s house!

In Bony Tales you can try to identify bones and learn about the history of animals. Can you find a cat playing with a ball of wool? The exhibition also enlightens visitors about the work of archaeologists and how we perceive history.