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Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · FI

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

Getting around: In central Turku, an easy walk from the market square and the Aura riverfront.
Hours: Typically daily roughly 10:00-18:00, with somewhat reduced hours off-season — check current schedule.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova combines a genuine medieval archaeological site — excavated ruins of Turku's old town discovered during construction — with a contemporary art museum built directly above and around them, an unusual pairing of deep history and current art under one roof. Walkways let visitors look down into the excavated street layers while contemporary exhibitions run in the galleries above.

It is one of Turku's more distinctive museums precisely because of that combination, appealing both to history-minded visitors and contemporary art audiences in a single stop.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova FAQs

What makes this museum unusual?

It combines an excavated medieval archaeological site with a contemporary art museum built around and above it.

Can I see the ruins directly?

Yes, walkways allow visitors to look down into the excavated medieval street layers.

How long does a visit take?

About 1.5-2 hours for both the archaeological site and current exhibitions.

Is it central?

Yes, an easy walk from Turku's market square and riverfront.

Is it good for kids?

The archaeological section generally appeals to curious children as well as adults.

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