Turku Castle, Sture Church

Sture Church is a medieval place of worship within Finland's largest fortress and contains wooden religious sculptures set into its stone walls. The space blends sacred functions with the fortress's defensive structure.

The church appeared as a place of worship in the 1480s while Finland was under Swedish rule. Its construction reflects the religious needs and political circumstances of that era.

The wooden sculptures in the church show the skill of medieval artisans and reveal how faith was woven into the fortress itself. These works tell stories of religious devotion and local artistic traditions.

Entry is at the castle gates where you purchase admission, then several corridors and staircases lead through stone walls to reach the church. Sturdy footwear helps since paths are uneven and indoor spaces can be dim.

The Porter's Lodge holds secular wall paintings from 1530 that are rare examples of medieval painting techniques and materials. These murals stand out as unusual decorations within fortress architecture of that time.