Suomen Joutsen (Swan of Finland), Turku
The Swan of Finland is a historic steel-hulled full-rigged ship with three square-rigged masts. Originally built in 1902 by Chantiers de Penhoet in Saint Nazaire, France, and initially named Laennec, the vessel served French and German owners under different names before being acquired by the Finnish government in 1930. After being refitted, she was renamed Suomen Joutsen and became a training ship for the Finnish Navy.
During her naval service, Swan of Finland embarked on eight international voyages before the outbreak of World War II, later transitioning to support and supply roles during the war. From 1961, she served as a stationary seamen's school for the Finnish Merchant Navy. In 1991, the ship was donated to the city of Turku and transformed into a museum ship moored next to Forum Marinum, where she remains one of the largest museum ships in Finland.
Extensively renovated in the late 1990s and beyond, Swan of Finland has hosted a permanent exhibition detailing her long and varied career since 2009. She is larger than the famous Pommern and Sigyn, two other notable Finnish ships. The vessel sustained minor damage in 2001 following a collision with the steamer Ukkopekka, but the damage was not severe.
In 2006, Pekka Koskenkyla, founder of Nautor, revealed that his Swan line of luxury yachts was inspired by Swan of Finland. The ship undergoes regular maintenance, with dry docking in 2016 to ensure its preservation for future generations. Today, she stands as a testament to Finland's rich maritime history.
During her naval service, Swan of Finland embarked on eight international voyages before the outbreak of World War II, later transitioning to support and supply roles during the war. From 1961, she served as a stationary seamen's school for the Finnish Merchant Navy. In 1991, the ship was donated to the city of Turku and transformed into a museum ship moored next to Forum Marinum, where she remains one of the largest museum ships in Finland.
Extensively renovated in the late 1990s and beyond, Swan of Finland has hosted a permanent exhibition detailing her long and varied career since 2009. She is larger than the famous Pommern and Sigyn, two other notable Finnish ships. The vessel sustained minor damage in 2001 following a collision with the steamer Ukkopekka, but the damage was not severe.
In 2006, Pekka Koskenkyla, founder of Nautor, revealed that his Swan line of luxury yachts was inspired by Swan of Finland. The ship undergoes regular maintenance, with dry docking in 2016 to ensure its preservation for future generations. Today, she stands as a testament to Finland's rich maritime history.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Turku. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Suomen Joutsen (Swan of Finland) on Map
Sight Name: Suomen Joutsen (Swan of Finland)
Sight Location: Turku, Finland (See walking tours in Turku)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Turku, Finland (See walking tours in Turku)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Turku, Finland
Create Your Own Walk in Turku
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turku is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turku Introduction Walking Tour
Turku is the oldest city in Finland. The city served as the capital of Finland from September 1809 through April 1812. It is a popular tourist destination because of its long history and impact on Finnish culture.
The name "Turku" derives from the Slavic word for marketplace. Not surprisingly, Turku has popular markets like those held at the Turku Old Market Hall and Market Square.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
The name "Turku" derives from the Slavic word for marketplace. Not surprisingly, Turku has popular markets like those held at the Turku Old Market Hall and Market Square.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Turku's Architectural Jewels
The oldest city in Finland, Turku, has several attractive old buildings that catch the eye and showcase the city's rich history and culture.
Prime among such jewels are the Turku Orthodox Church, characterized by its distinctive onion-shaped domes, the historic neoclassical Swedish-language Abo Svenska Theater, and the beautiful late 19th-century Turku Old Market Hall (Turun Kauppahalli).... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Prime among such jewels are the Turku Orthodox Church, characterized by its distinctive onion-shaped domes, the historic neoclassical Swedish-language Abo Svenska Theater, and the beautiful late 19th-century Turku Old Market Hall (Turun Kauppahalli).... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles