Turku: Mantymaki: Turku

Turku occupies the banks and estuary of the Aura River on Finland’s southwest coast in Mainland Finland. The river passes through the centre towards the Archipelago Sea, placing the city between urban Finland and a broad Baltic island world. Founded in the 13th century, Turku is generally regarded as Finland’s oldest city and served as the country’s capital until 1812. Turku Cathedral, consecrated in 1300, anchors the historic core, while Turku Castle near the river mouth recalls the period of Swedish rule. View additional webcams nearby to better understand how Turku relates to the Archipelago Sea and southwest Finland.

Southwest Finland is best known within Finland for the Archipelago Sea, a vast network of islands and skerries between the mainland and Åland. Turku, on the Aura River, is the region’s principal city and Finland’s oldest city; its medieval cathedral and Turku Castle recall its long importance in the country’s history. Coastal roads, ferries and boating routes connect communities across the archipelago, while inland areas combine farmland, woodland and river valleys. Swedish is widely spoken in parts of the coast, reinforcing the region’s bilingual character. See how Southwest Finland fits within the wider Archipelago Sea by browsing nearby webcams.

The terrain of Finland ranges from low coastal plains along the Gulf of Bothnia to fells in Lapland, creating a country of forests, lakes and long northern distances. More than 180,000 lakes shape everyday life, while the Lakeland region is threaded with waterways and islands. Helsinki, on the Gulf of Finland, combines neoclassical landmarks around Senate Square with contemporary Finnish design. Farther north, the Sámi are Finland’s only recognised Indigenous people, and their culture remains closely connected to the Arctic region. In winter, snow and ice transform the north; in summer, long daylight extends outdoor life well into the evening. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Finland.