Naantali

Understand

Naantali is one of the six medieval towns in Finland (together with Porvoo, Rauma, Turku, Ulvila and Vyborg). It originated in 1443 as a Bridgettine convent. The Latin name of the convent was Vallis Gratiae, The Valley of Mercy. In Swedish this was Nådens dal which turned into Naantali in the mouths of the Finnish-speaking laymen. After the Lutheran reformation in the 1530s, the convent was closed down and the town faced hard times. The convent had taught handicraft skills to the locals and especially the women had learned to weave. During the years after abolishment of the convent, the town received significant income by selling long socks which had become a very popular men's garment those days. The church was repaired by governor general Per Brahe in 1660. The depression continued until the mid-18th century, when the town got a customs chamber and new vitality. The customs chamber was marked with a large copper sun so that no one could say they didn't find the place where the customs fee must be paid. This led to a well known Finnish proverb that something "is shining like the Naantali's sun" (loistaa kuin Naantalin aurinko). Today the proverb has positive meaning. In 1723 professor Peter Elfving came to conclusion that water from the Viluluoto spring can cure many illnesses, and finally in 1837 a spa was established at the spring. However, the location was awkwardly remote, and fairly soon the spa was relocated by the sea next to the church, but its fame had spread. The era of tourism in Naantali had started. Modern day Naantali does not live from tourism only. The town has a busy freight port, in fact one of the busiest in Finland. There is also some heavy industry. However, you have to stray away quite a bit from the tourist areas to notice those.

Getting there

The main road to Naantali leads via Raisio outside Turku, which is just 17 km away. Passenger train service has been terminated

By bus There are frequent buses from Turku (30 min; buses number 6, 6A, 201 and 203): local ticket with two hours free transfer as usual in the Föli area. The 1 bus station is at the border of the old town, walk through it to get to the church, the shore and the Moomin world.

By boat From Turku, a much slower and more expensive but far more scenic option is the Ukkopekka steamship twice daily straight to the Naantali old town, not far from the Moomin World. The journey winds through the gorgeous archipelago and takes two hours each way (€20/25 one-way/return, operates June–Aug only). From Sweden there are the daily ropax ferries of Finnlines, from Kapellskär (in Norrtälje), some of them via Långnäs (in Åland). This is the shortest and cheapest way directly across with a car (about €60 including driver, buffet meal included), but the ferry is considerably more bare-bones than those floating palaces that operate between Turku and Stockholm. If you don't have a car, check special requirements. Naantali has a quite popular guest harbour, but the biggest sailing yachts cannot enter due to bridges (three routes, highest 16.5 m, shortest 11 m).

2 Naantali guest harbour, Nunnakatu 18, ☏ +358 45-605-7455, [email protected]. The main marina is in the heart of the old town. Restaurant. Saunas and showers available. €26/night; day fee €5. (updated May 2016) There are several guest harbours farther away in the archipelago, some of which have usable bus connections to the town.

By car Naantali is at the western end of the Turku bypass, Highway 40, part of E18. From the north along Highway 8 (E8), follow the signage towards Naantali when you are to cross the bypass. From Turku, take regional road 185 for Naantali (coinciding with E8 for the first 1½ kilometres). From elsewhere, the most direct option is probably the E18. In addition to the big

Getting around

The town itself is not too big. The old wooden old town is well worth a walk. Most of the archipelago is reachable by bus or car. The buses serving Naantali belong to the Föli cooperation of Turku and its neighbours. There are a few lines from Turku, and additionally municipal lines (line numbers prefixed by "N"), going all the way to Velkua and southern Rymättylä, with the same tickets of a few euros (including any transfers within 2 hr). From late summer 2019 some local buses are flexible]: call the driver for minor deviations in the route. Line N1 serves the centre and some nearby areas weekdays 10:20–12:00 (☏ +358 40-773-0025), N7 the Luonnonmaa island, also to the centre, school days M W F 10:10–11:15 and 11:50–12:50 (☏ +358 40-773-0026), N11 Rymättylä down to Röölä school days M W F 08:25–11:30 (☏ +358 40-773-0029), N6 Merimasku according to timetable with only minor deviations in route (☏ +358 40-773-0027 or ☏ +358 40-773-0028). Check weekend, holiday and summer schedules.

By taxi Taxidata, Taksi Länsi-Suomi, iTaksi: see Turku#By taxi Smartphone apps: 02 Taksi, Valopilkku

See

Naantali is very much a summer town, and many attractions are closed outside the June–August peak season.

1 Old town (Vanhakaupunki). Naantali has an attractive wooden old town. Colourful old buildings, narrow alleys etc. Most buildings are people's homes so please do not enter the yards. 2 Kultaranta. Literally "Golden Shore", this is the summer residence of the Finnish president. Guided tours Jun–Aug daily except Monday. Tours are very popular and booking in advance required. 3 Convent Church (Naantalin kirkko). May–Aug: daily 10:00–18:00; Sep–Apr: Su W 12:00–14:00. Built in 1443–1462, this is the oldest standing structure in the city and among the oldest ones anywhere in Finland. It is also the second largest medieval church in Finland. The crucifix was made in the times of the convent. Outside the church there is still a piece of the stone fence and a well as a remnant of the convent. Free. 4 Lookout tower. Cosy wooden lookout tower built on top of former water tower in the park surrounding the church. Nice view of the marina and the Moomin World. Narrow stairs which are not suitable for disabled. free. (updated Jun 2020) 5 Naantali museum, Mannerheiminkatu 21 (in the old town), ☏ +358 2 435-2727, [email protected]. 16 May–31 August Tu–Su 11:00–18:00. A small museum in two old wooden buildings. In Humppi house you'll see some archaeological findings and visit their changing exhibition. In Hiilola you will visit a 19th century bourgeois home and their garden as well as more modest Sau-Kallio house. The museum shop in Humppi sell some Naantali themed stuff and books. Adults €4, children 7–17 years €2, MuseumCard valid.. 6 Kuparivuori viewing place. Kuparivuori is a hill next to the old town with a sudden, tens of meters high vertical drop down to the Naantalinsalmi strait. No safety equipment so mind your steps! Awesome view towards the sea and marina. Rakkaudenpolku walkway climbs to the hill from Raatihuoneenkatu and Kuparivuorenkatu streets. The walkway's

Do

1 Moomin World (Muumimaailma), Tuulensuuntie 14 (on Kailo island, connected to the mainland by bridge), ☏ +358 2 511-