↓ 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑹𝑶

Welcome back to another scene.
Where we venture through the city and holiday resort of Naantali.
The total population on 31 December 2021 was about 19,500.
Located in Southwest Finland, just 14 km away from the oldest city, Turku.
We are walking on the Cliffs of Kuparivuori (Copper Mountain).
Specifically the “Path of Love”, which takes its name from the early 1800s, when Russian naval officers moved around Naantali.
The young women of Naantali were especially fond of it, but at that time public display of affection was not acceptable.
So the young couples retreated to the Path of Love on these cliffs.
The path opens up to a beautiful view over Naantali Bay, Naantali Abbey and the Old Town.

↓ 𝑵𝑨𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑰
Naantali, the official hometown of the Moominworld, from the beloved Moomin stories (animation).
Often referred to as Finland’s sun city and home to the summer residence of the President of Finland.
One of the oldest towns in Finland, founded around the medieval Abbey of Nådendal (Fi: Naantali).
The name of the city in Latin is 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒆, which means the Valley of Grace.
That is why the coat of arms from 1466 depict the letters V and G surmounted by a crown.
In 1443 a city charter was signed by the Swedish king Christopher (1416-1448), the then ruler of Finland.
The town grew around the abbey and became an important pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages.
For more than 200 years, however, the city has been on the brink of non-existent.
When in the 16th century Catholicism gave way to Protestanism as the official religion in Finland.
The abbey closed and the city plunged into a depression.
This lasted until the mid-18th century when the development of spa activities started to make its way to Naantali.
This was the beginning of the city’s status as a holiday resort, and in 1922 the official summer residence of Finland (Kultaranta) was built on the island of Luonnonmaa (Naantali).

↓ 𝑮𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑩𝑶𝑼𝑹
Car ferry traffic between Finland and Sweden started in the 1960s, highlighting the importance of Naantali as a port city.
For some time, Naantali was even Finland’s largest import port.
A beautiful guest harbour in the heart of the old town is known for its idyllic setting.
The cafés and restaurants offer a range of culinary experiences.
The perfect starting point to explore the Finnish archipelago that is just around the corner.
Or you can take the steamship ‘S/S Ukkopekka’ and cruise to nearby Turku.
Naantali is best experienced in the summer from May to September.
When the harbour would be full of boats and the cafés bustling with holiday tourists.

↓ 𝑵𝑨𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑰 𝑨𝑩𝑩𝑬𝒀
The second largest medieval church in Finland and one of the six monasteries in Finland during the Middle Ages.
The only one which accepted women.
Made of beautiful white stone is a capturing sight in the skyline of Naantali.
Built between 1443 and 1462 dedicated to St. Bridget, St. Anna, John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary.
The magnificent baroque tower, which is an integral part of the Naantali silhouette, was completed in 1797.
In the year 1487; there were 54 sisters and 8 priests in the convent, the peak of the monastic community lasted until early 1490s.
With the Reformation, the monastery was no longer allowed to take on new novices.
Plunging the community of Naantali into a long depression.
The last nun (Elina Knutintytär) passed away in 1591.
The monastery burned down once in 1628, the most recent renovation took place in 2012.

↓ 𝑶𝑳𝑫 𝑻𝑶𝑾𝑵
The current houses in the Old Town were largely built in the 18th and 19th century.
All the houses in the old town have their own names, such as Hat, Big Bear, Jeremiah, Humppi, Tymppi…
With its beautiful narrow alleys and charming atmosphere.

Thank you for joining .
Together we learn, explore and walk through the scenes.