Dive into the Depths of Maritime Navigation at Forum Marinum
25.06.2024
The tall ships are coming – and they are already here! Vessels from around the world will arrive in Turku in July for this summer’s grand event, The Tall Ships Races Turku 2024. However, you can immerse yourself in the city’s year-round maritime atmosphere beforehand through the exhibitions and museum ships at Forum Marinum.
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Photo: Forum Marinum
Maritime Centre Forum Marinum has delighted the people of Turku since 1999. Starting in June, it offers a wide range of interesting content for all ages. As a partner of the event and the largest maritime centre in Finland, Forum Marinum’s summer offerings combine art, maritime themes, the history of the maritime quarter, and the future of Turku’s Linnanniemi area. Conveniently located at the heart of the event area, Forum Marinum is an easy stop to make between other programs of the event.
The Maritime Centre offers year-round permanent maritime-themed exhibitions, guided tours, several museum ships, and content specifically designed for children, such as the immersive Merimonsterit exhibition and the children’s own maritime museum, Tyrskynmyrskyn. The adjacent restaurant Göran serves museum and event visitors during the centre’s opening hours.
All content offered by Forum Marinum, along with additional information, can be found on the Maritime Centre’s website (link opens in a new tab).
Guided Tours This Summer
Finland’s first museum ship, the barque Sigyn, can be explored through guided tours held three times a day in June. Tours are conducted at 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00. During the event, Sigyn is open for visits from 10:00 to 19:00, Thursday to Saturday, 18–20 July.
After Midsummer, it is possible to explore Forum Marinum’s maritime quarter through free courtyard tours. These tours, held daily at 12:00, offer a look into the history of the maritime quarter and the future development of the Linnanniemi area.
Suomen Joutsen
For over 60 years, the frigate Suomen Joutsen has enriched the riverside scenery in Turku. During the summer season, she is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, according to the maritime centre’s opening hours. During The Tall Ships Races Turku 2024 event, Suomen Joutsen will have extended hours from Thursday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:00. Any exceptions to the opening hours due to private events will be announced on Forum Marinum’s website.
This summer visitors can enjoy Finland’s most iconic sailing ship in a completely new way: restaurant Göran will set up a champagne bar on the ship’s deck, serving customers with museum tickets from Wednesday to Saturday, 17–20 July. On the final event day, Sunday, 21 July, visitors can watch the departure of the tall ships from prime seats on the white frigate’s deck while enjoying a splendid brunch served by restaurant Göran. Brunch tickets can be purchased from the Voiveljet online store closer to the event.
The museum ship also caters to art enthusiasts throughout the summer. Onboard, you can see playful Baltic Sea-themed installations by the Merisiskot collective, consisting of four artists interested in the state of the Baltic Sea: Kati Immonen, Mari Krappala, Elina Ruohonen, and Tiina Vainio.
Themes of tall ships, the sea, and the archipelago are also featured in the art exhibition by students of the art school KONSTa, located on the tween deck of Suomen Joutsen. Additionally, Artist Jani Petteri Virta will create a performance piece in the navigation cabin located on the ship’s aft deck. The work includes Virta’s own activities in the ship’s spaces and participatory moments with the audience at a typewriter.
After the event, Suomen Joutsen and Forum Marinum’s other museum ships will remain open throughout the summer until Sunday, 18 August.
Forum Marinum
Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00
Linnankatu 72
20100 Turku
Tel. +358 40 5525 477
www.forum-marinum.fi