Aboa Vetus Ars Nova

Imagine a place where the boundaries between centuries blur: the cobblestones of a medieval city lie right beneath your feet, while the walls a floor above are adorned with canvases by modern masters. We are talking about the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum — one of the most unusual cultural spaces Turku has to offer its guests.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

This complex in Finland is unique in its dualism. Aboa Vetus (Old Aboa) is a genuine underground quarter featuring the ruins of stone houses from the 13th–15th centuries, discovered during archaeological excavations. The second part, Ars Nova, is dedicated to contemporary art, offering visitors a look at the world through the prism of bold experiments and abstraction.

The museum is located in the historic Convent Quarter on the banks of the Aura River. Its building harmoniously combines massive elements of natural stone and wood, creating an atmosphere of continuity through time. Here, history is not hidden behind glass, but literally comes to life, allowing everyone to touch the past of Finland's oldest city.

To clarify information about special exhibitions or to book a group tour, you can use the museum's official contact details.

In the underground labyrinths of Aboa Vetus, history becomes tangible. Curiosity is encouraged here: visitors can not only observe the ancient masonry but also touch the ruins with their hands. The interactive exhibition allows you to feel like a medieval resident: you can try writing with a stylus on wax tablets, listen to the sounds of ancient instruments, or even dance to the accompaniment of a lute. For both children and adults, there is an electronic quiz called "Build a Cathedral," which introduces the architectural intricacies of the past in a playful way.

Immersion into the life of the old city happens through the story of a boy named Matti, who came to Aboa to find work. You will see genuine artifacts—from Venetian glass to merchant household items from the 18th century—and learn how the habits of townspeople changed, such as how coffee drinking first appeared in Finland.

A completely different experience awaits you in the halls of Ars Nova. Contemporary art exhibitions regularly rotate here, featuring works by both Scandinavian abstractionists and world-renowned stars like Pablo Picasso. The combination of rugged medieval walls and vibrant avant-garde creates a unique visual contrast, making every visit to the museum a bright and memorable event.

The museum complex is located in the heart of the historical center at Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6. It sits on the east bank of the Aura River, right next to Vartiovuori Hill. If you are already walking along the embankment or exploring the Cathedral, reaching the museum on foot is easy—it’s a pleasant walk through scenic areas.

For those who prefer public transport, city buses stop within walking distance of the museum building. A taxi ride from the main railway station or the central airport will take about 10–15 minutes. You can also use suburban trains with a subsequent transfer to local bus routes.

If you are traveling by car, there are parking zones provided near the museum complex. Its convenient location allows you to easily combine a visit to the museum with other iconic city locations by moving exclusively on foot along the river.

The history of this place is remarkable because it revealed its secrets almost by accident. In the early 1990s, during the renovation of an old palace intended for a contemporary art museum, builders stumbled upon an underground city. Archaeological excavations beneath the building's foundation uncovered entire quarters of medieval Aboa (the ancient name of the city).

Among the finds were not just fragments of walls, but full-scale brick houses, stone-paved squares, and even the remains of a monastery church with a graveyard. These discoveries forced historians to completely revise the plans of the ancient city and acknowledge that Finland's trade links in the 13th century were far more extensive than previously thought. For example, archaeologists discovered expensive Venetian glassware here, testifying to the high status of this quarter's residents.

The name of the complex, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, symbolically reflects its essence: "Old Aboa & New Art." Today, it is a place where the ancient ruins of the Convent Quarter literally meet the avant-garde works of modernity, creating a unique dialogue between eras under one roof.

To explore both parts of the complex without rushing, most visitors need between 2 to 3 hours. The Aboa Vetus archaeological zone is the most content-rich: you should set aside at least 1.5 hours to view the ruins, read the historical backgrounds, and participate in the interactive installations.

The remaining time is usually spent getting to know the temporary exhibitions at Ars Nova. If you are a big fan of contemporary art or plan to stop by the cozy museum cafe and souvenir shop, your visit could last for half a day.

The museum complex is open to the public daily, which is very convenient for planning your travel itinerary. You can visit any day of the week during the following operating hours:

Monday — Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00.

The museum's location in the historical core of the city allows tourists to create a rich itinerary for the whole day. A walk through the surroundings will help you feel the atmosphere of old Finland more deeply and see how carefully the heritage of the past is preserved here.

In the immediate vicinity, you will find ancient educational institutions, squares, and majestic administrative buildings, each holding its own unique history.