Aboa Vetus Ars Nova, Archaeological and contemporary art museum in Rettig Palace, Turku, Finland
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is a museum in Turku that brings together two distinct worlds under one roof. The archaeological section displays artifacts and remains from medieval Turku, while the art section shows contemporary works by Finnish and international artists.
The discovery of medieval urban structures during renovations of Rettig Palace in the 1990s led to the creation of this museum. Aboa Vetus emerged alongside the planned contemporary art spaces to protect and present these valuable archaeological finds.
The archaeological section presents artifacts and structures from medieval Turku, while the contemporary art section exhibits works by current Finnish and international artists.
Both museum sections are accessed through the main entrance of Rettig Palace on Itäinen Rantakatu in central Turku. Allow time to explore both areas properly, as they offer very different experiences and require separate attention to fully appreciate each section.
The excavation areas beneath the museum remain active, with archaeologists regularly uncovering new artifacts from medieval Turku. Visitors can watch this ongoing research and learn how people lived in this city centuries ago.
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