Turku Cathedral, Finland's main Lutheran church and its national shrine. The cathedral is the oldest and most valuable monument of Finnish history. Its history is closely linked to the centuries-old history of its people. It is not only a museum, a functioning church, but also a venue for concerts. The patrons of the cathedral are St Mary and the first Finnish bishop, St Henrik. Until the late 1700s, burials were held in the cathedral. Family memorial plaques and stone tombstones can be seen in different parts of the church.
Over the past centuries, wars, robberies and fires have significantly ravaged the cathedral. However, some of the treasures have been preserved and are exhibited in the museum, which is located in the south gallery. The exposition of the museum tells about the historical stages of the church and church life, starting from the 1300s. Medieval statues of saints and altar accessories, both domestic and foreign-made, are displayed, of which the most famous is the ablution bowl. The time following the Reformation period is well represented by textiles and silver objects of church decoration, which are perfect in their craftsmanship. The museum also offers an insight into the stages of the church's construction.
