Cities
Finland Turku Southwest Finland Historical Landmark

Brinkkala House

Brinkkala House
About

Brinkkala House is one of the most atmospheric historic buildings in Turku, standing on Vanha Suurtori and known above all for its role in the annual Declaration of Christmas Peace, proclaimed from its balcony since 1886. The building’s origins reach back to the 16th century, when it served as the townhouse of the owners of Brinkhall Manor, and over the centuries it has functioned as a hotel, town hall, residence of the Russian Governor General, and even a police station. After the Great Fire of 1827, Brinkkala was rebuilt and later renovated in the 1880s, when its famous balcony was added. Today, the house is a lively cultural venue hosting art exhibitions, events, and the popular Turku Medieval Market in its courtyard. Its restored interiors, historic Magistrate’s Court, and charming surroundings make Brinkkala House a distinctive landmark where Turku’s layered history and contemporary urban culture meet.

Turku Finland
Location

Brinkkala House is located at Vanha Suurtori 3, 20500 Turku, Finland, on the edge of the historic Old Great Square in the city center, just a short walk uphill from Turku Cathedral and the Aura River waterfront. This elegant 19th-century mansion, once a town hall, hotel, and police station, now hosts art galleries, craft boutiques, a cozy courtyard café, and the famous Christmas Peace Declaration balcony, with easy pedestrian access, nearby street parking, and bus stops close by. Nearby attractions include the majestic Turku Cathedral dominating the skyline mere minutes away, charming museums like Ett Hem and Sibelius Museum across the square, Vartiovuori Observatory atop its scenic hill with panoramic views, the vibrant Turku Market Square downhill toward the river, and riverside paths leading to Pharmacy Museum, Qwensel House, and Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum—all creating a compact hub of history, art, and culture perfect for exploration.

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

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