In 1827, there was a great fire in Turku that destroyed much of the city. There was one small region that was spared, however. But after the fire, many viewed these wooden houses as just another fire waiting to happen, so they were condemned to be demolished. But years later, they still stood, and finally, someone had the idea to repair them and turn them into a museum. Now, these homes, over 200 years old, give a glimpse into life in Turku two centuries ago.
Inside the homes, various crafts are displayed. Here's a clock maker.
On the table, the outline of a leather glove is cut out.
Here's the inside of a book-maker. Notice the spines on the wall that you can choose for your book!
Basketweavers - back then, they really did offer a degree in this (but, it's not underwater).
A glimpse into some of the homes.
Note how the bed can be shortened to make more room in the small apartment.
I meet one of the locals.
The different ways to make a roof. This one is covered in rocks.
For other roofs, they take sod and turn it upside down, laying it on the roof. This creates a nice layer of protection against water. The next spring, the grass grows through the roof and emerges on the top, offering more protection. Sometimes people even bring a goat up there to trim it!
Inside the printing press.
A woman works at her loom.
Walking around the yards and through the streets of the old houses.
Who needs a sign? You can just mount whatever you make on the outside of your house! Want a teapot! You're in the right place!
How 'bout a violin?
The shoemaker.
And what better place than Finland to get a nice warm homemade hat!
Going back even further in time, we visit the Turku castle, whose construction began in the 13th century.
Paintings in the castle, faded, but still there.
Down in the dungeon. There are still rats!
Window seats.
And nice furniture.
Even wall shelves!
The chapel displayed an upright organ.
The chapel.
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| Again with boat. |
Bram admires the vast dining room.
Overlooking the courtyard of the castle.
A point if you can guess why there is an indentation in the wood here.
Finally, the best part of our visit is where we get to become royalty! Of course, my dear husband immediately wants to become a princess.
But in reality, he knows who really reigns.
Next up: the dungeon!
Now, only headless people live in the castle.
This was lunch. I was not to happy about it.
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| Eiiiii! |
I brought it back to the kitchen right away.
Calmer rooms in the castle.
Finally, we wander though the courtyard.
These old houses are from the 1500s. They are related to the aforementioned dent in the wood. (Now you're really confused, huh?)
Finally, we visit a museum. It was supposed to be an art museum, but as they were digging the foundations, they discover all sorts of ruins of an ancient city street! So now, it's half art museum, half archeological museum.
Old keys.
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| You can't tell me that key cards are an improvement from these awesome keys. |
An ancient ice skate!
And ancient beer taps. Priorities haven't changed much.
Tiny little instruments.
And chess pieces.
In the art museum, they had a beautiful wall-sized painting.
The museum is actually in a mansion where the dad of my Finnish friend used to play. His childhood friend's family owned this mansion.
The beautiful gardens of the mansion.
A piece of art I thought was neat: each panel was done in black and white (more realistic) and color (more fantastical). Very neat.
