Turku

Turku is located in the south west of Finland and is the capital of Western Finland.
Turku was founded in the 13th century and is one of the oldest cities in Finland.
Population: 175 000 inhabitants. It is the fifth largest city of Finland.
The city has a Finnish–Swedish population, 5.2 % are Swedish speaking.
Area: 306.4 km2

Archeological resources prove that there was a settlement in Turku in the end of 13th century.
The church which was built in the 14th century, the fortress of Turku and the Dominican monastery made the city one of the important spiritual centers in the middle centuries.

The first University and Academy of Finland was built in Turku in 1640. When the territory of Finland was under Russian control, Turku was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. In 1812 the capital was relocated to Helsinki, because Alexander I decided, that the capital should be located near the border of Sweden. The government was relocated to Helsinki after a big fire in 1827.

After World War II the city was destroyed, because of bombing. But after the war, the city started to develop quickly.
Sights:

1.    Cathedral (13th century)
2.    Turku Fortress (13th century)
3.    Monarchy Museum.
4.    Sibelius Museum
5.    Academy House
6.    Brahena park
7.    Church park
8.    Lennrota park
9.    Old trading square (13 century)
10.   Brinkhall, from it balcony annually in the Christmas eve is announced Christmas World
11.   Work of art "Flow time"
12.   Hansa von Rettig palace and archeological museum
13.   Administrative house (1811)
14.   Chemical museum
15.   Modern Art Museum Wäinö Aaltonen
16.   Aqua Museum "Forum Marinum"
17.   Orthodox Church (1845)
18.   Art Museum
19.   Observatory (1819)
20.   Biology Museum

And many other historical and modern sights of the old city of Finland.
There many musicial festivals, competitions and sport events as well.