Cities
Finland Turku Southwest Finland Museum

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova

About

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova in Turku is a unique museum complex where medieval history and contemporary art meet under one roof. Housed in the historic Rettig Palace, the museum combines Aboa Vetus, Finland’s only archaeological museum, with Ars Nova, a vibrant space for modern art. Beneath the building, visitors can walk through the preserved ruins of medieval Turku, exploring old streets, stone houses and artefacts that reveal everyday life in the city centuries ago. Above ground, Ars Nova presents changing exhibitions of Finnish and international contemporary art, offering fresh perspectives within an elegant palace setting. This dual experience creates a compelling journey from the past to the present, making Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova one of Turku’s most distinctive cultural attractions and a memorable stop for anyone interested in history, art or the layered story of Finland’s oldest city.

Turku Finland
Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
Location

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova is located in central Turku at Itäinen Rantakatu 4–6, 20700 Turku, on the picturesque banks of the Aura River just a short walk from the Market Square and the city centre core. Nearby you can easily combine a visit with Turku Market Square and Market Hall, the river‑side promenade with cafés and terraces, Turku Castle and the Old Town, Turku Cathedral a bit further along the river, and Turku Art Museum as well as other cultural sights along the Aura waterfront, all within a compact and walkable city‑centre area.

Turku Art Museum Turku Art Museum Museum Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art Museum Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum Museum Turku Biological Museum Turku Biological Museum Museum Forum Marinum Forum Marinum Museum Ett Hem Museum Ett Hem Museum Museum Sibelius Museum Sibelius Museum Museum Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House Museum Kylämäki Village of Living History Kylämäki Village of Living History Museum Turku Castle Turku Castle Castle Turku Cathedral Turku Cathedral Cathedral Finnish Scout Museum Finnish Scout Museum Museum Turku Health Care Museum Turku Health Care Museum Museum St. Michael’s Church St. Michael’s Church Church St. Catherine’s Church Turku St. Catherine’s Church Turku Church St. Mary's Church Turku St. Mary's Church Turku Church Turku Orthodox Church Turku Orthodox Church Church Turku City Theatre Turku City Theatre Theatre Åbo Svenska Teater Åbo Svenska Teater Theatre Vartiovuori Observatory Vartiovuori Observatory Observatory Iso-Heikkilä Observatory Iso-Heikkilä Observatory Observatory Turun Kauppatori Turun Kauppatori Market Brinkkala House Brinkkala House Historical Landmark Botanical Garden of the University of Turku Botanical Garden of the University of Turku Botanical Garden