Turku City Hall, Town hall near Aura River, Turku, Finland
Turku City Hall is a Renaissance Revival building with three floors standing on the banks of the Aura River, featuring ornate interior decorations throughout its spaces. The architecture combines elegant facade elements with functional rooms designed for administrative use.
The structure was designed in 1811 by Charles Bassi as a restaurant called Seurahuone and later transformed into city hall by Frans Sjöström between 1879 and 1883. This conversion marked its shift from private to public use.
The building serves as the administrative center where the city conducts its daily operations and hosts official events. Residents and visitors see it as a symbol of local governance and civic identity.
The building can be visited during special occasions like Turku Day or when public city council meetings are held. Check ahead to find out which events allow public access.
The building survived the Great Fire of 1827, which destroyed much of Turku, making it one of the few structures that remained standing. This survival gave it special importance in the city's recovery.
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