The construction of the fort began at around the year 1280.
Swedes stationed in the region constructed it as a military
fortress and outpost. The fort's defenses were bolstered and living quarters constructed during the following two centuries. The castle served as a
defensive structure and administrative center in
Österland, which was the name of the region known today as Finland, until the end of the 15th century. The main part of the castle was extended considerably during the 16th century, after
Gustav Vasa had ascended to the Swedish throne. His son,
John III of Sweden, was the head of the administration and duke of Finland at that time. The castle was generally improved upon during this time, with an addition of a tower at the southeast corner of the castle. These were the last additions to the main structure of the castle, and all work on the castle since then has focused on repairs and reconstruction. Between 1395 to 1398, Turku Castle may have been used as a base of operations by the
Victual Brothers, a band of privateers turned pirates, invited there by the chief of the castle, due to some larger international political intrigue and allegiances concerning trade in the Baltic Sea. In
Paulus Juusten's episcopal chronicle, it is said that at the turn of the 15th century, pirates were causing havoc in and around the Turku archipelago. They looted the
Turku Cathedral, a historical building in the center of Turku, also on the Aura river. It is on the opposite side of the town away from the sea. The cathedral is open for guided tours and unguided visitations. The castle was at its peak in the mid-16th century, during the reign of
Duke John of Finland and
Catherine Jagellon. They constructed the
Renaissance Floor and the King's and Queen's hall, along with some other new features. In 1573 to 1577, the deposed Swedish Queen
Karin Månsdotter was kept prisoner there. In 1614, a great fire destroyed the wooden structures of the old parts of the castle almost completely. King
Gustav II Adolf was at the castle for a visit. After the fire, the main castle structure was largely abandoned and used as storage. In the 18th century, the Renaissance bailey functioned as an administrative center, with the old main structure abandoned and in disrepair. The castle housed the provincial government after a period of turmoil called the
Greater Wrath. The castle was used as a prison from the 18th to the end of the 19th century. During the
Finnish War between Sweden and Russia (1808-1809), the castle was used by the Russian Navy. It was later handed back to the Finnish regional authorities, as the Grand Duchy of Finland was granted larger autonomy by the Tzar of Russia. In 1881, the Turku Historical Museum gained control of the castle. Finland gained full independence at the end of 1917, and thus the republic of Finland gained ownership of the castle. The
renovation of the castle began before the start of the
Second World War. As Finland was drawn into conflict in the
Winter War (1939), and then the
Continuation War (1941 to 1944), the renovation project was halted. The renovation was continued after the wars ended. The castle was damaged during the Continuation War by Soviet incendiary bombardment. The castle was fully restored in 1987. Responsibility over the now restored castle was handed over to the City of Turku on October 12, 1993. The city is currently entrusted with all Turku Castle related events and administration, on behalf of the government of Finland. Since then, the castle has been a historical museum and it functions as part of the Turku Provincial Museum. The old part of the castle holds the
banquet rooms and a
church for the local congregation. The castle courtyard hosts a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Turku castle is one of Finland's most visited historical attractions and museums. Entrance to the inner castle is not free. Tickets are sold at a lowered price to pensioners, children, and the unemployed. The tickets cost under 20€, as of summer 2024. There is a public park surrounding the castle. == Structure ==