Aura River (Finland) in the context of "Turku"

⭐ In the context of Turku, the River Aura is considered…

Ad spacer

⭐ Core Definition: Aura River (Finland)

Aurajoki ([ˈɑu̯rɑˌjoki]; Swedish Aura å) is a river in south-western Finland. It originates in Oripää, and flows through Pöytyä, Aura, Lieto, and ultimately the city of Turku before discharging into the Archipelago Sea. The total length of the river is about 70 kilometres (43 mi), and it contains eleven rapids, the biggest of which is Nautelankoski at Lieto. The reserve tap water for Turku Region is drawn from Aurajoki, the city's secondary waterworks being situated by the Halinen rapids.

The waters of the Aurajoki are brown. Situated in an agricultural zone, the river is made turbid by surface runoff from nearby farms with eutrophication as the biggest threat. Its condition has been improving since the 1970s and Aurajoki is now clean enough to support salmon.

↓ Menu

>>>PUT SHARE BUTTONS HERE<<<

👉 Aura River (Finland) in the context of Turku

Turku (/ˈtʊərkuː/ TOOR-koo; Finnish: [ˈturku] ; Swedish: Åbo, Finland Swedish: [ˈoːbu] ) is a city in Finland and the regional capital of Southwest Finland. It is located on the southwestern coast of the country at the mouth of the River Aura. The population of Turku is approximately 207,000, while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 317,000. It is the 6th–most populous municipality in Finland, and the third–most populous urban area in the country after Helsinki and Tampere.

Turku is Finland's oldest city. It is not known when Turku was granted city status. Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his Bulla in 1229, and this year is now used as the founding year of the city. Turku was the most important city in the eastern part (today's Finland) of the Kingdom of Sweden. After the Finnish War, Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire in 1809, and Turku became the capital of the Grand Duchy. However, Turku lost its status as capital only three years later in 1812, when Tsar Alexander I of Russia decided to move the capital to Helsinki. It was only after the last great fire in 1827 that most government institutions were moved to Helsinki along with the Royal Academy of Turku, founded in 1640, which later became the University of Helsinki, thus consolidating Helsinki's position as the new capital. Turku was Finland's most populous city until the late 1840s and remains the regional capital, an important business and cultural centre, and a port.

↓ Explore More Topics
In this Dossier

Aura River (Finland) in the context of Turku Cathedral

Turku Cathedral (Finnish: Turun tuomiokirkko, Swedish: Åbo domkyrka) is the only medieval basilica in Finland and the Mother Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. It is the central church of the Lutheran Archdiocese of Turku and the seat of the Lutheran Archbishop of Finland, Tapio Luoma. It is also regarded as one of the major records of Finnish architectural history.

Considered to be the most important religious building in Finland, the cathedral has borne witness to many important events in the nation's history and has become one of the city's most recognizable symbols. The cathedral is situated in the heart of Turku next to the Old Great Square, by the river Aura. Its presence extends beyond the local precinct by having the sound of its bells chiming at noon broadcast on national radio. It is also central to Finland's annual Christmas celebrations.

↑ Return to Menu

Aura River (Finland) in the context of Turku Castle

Turku Castle (Finnish: Turun linna, Swedish: Åbo slott) is a medieval structure in the city of Turku, Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. It is also the largest surviving medieval building in Finland. It was founded in the late 13th century and stands on the banks of the Aura River. The castle served as a bastion and administrative center in the historical region of Finland until the early 19th century. It played a role in power struggles within Sweden and the Kalmar Union and stood sieges, with additional battles fought outside its walls. The castle was at its peak in the mid-16th century, during the reign of Duke John of Finland and Catherine Jagellon. It lost its status as an administrative center in the 17th century, after Per Brahe's period as governor-general of Finland came to an end. Turku Castle is Finland's most visited museum. Visitations reach well over 100,000 people annually. Some of the rooms in the castle are used for municipal functions.

The castle was the center of the historical province of Finland Proper, and the administrative center of all of Finland.

↑ Return to Menu
LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Turku ← Turku Cathedral ← Turku Castle
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Finland-Swedish → River → Finland → Oripää → Pöytyä → Aura, Finland → Lieto → Turku → Archipelago Sea → Rapids → Tap water → Surface runoff → Eutrophication → Salmon →