Naantali

Naantali is one of the oldest cities in Finland. It was founded around the medieval church parish of Vallis gratiae , founded by monks of the Order of St. Brigitte. This church is still the largest in the city. In 1443, the Swedish king Christopher III of Bavaria granted the settlement a charter of city rights, according to which the settlement received trade rights and other privileges, which in turn led to an increase in population and an increase in urban construction. He also became a pilgrimage center.

In the 16th century , when Catholicism in Scandinavia gave way to Protestantism , the parish was closed and the city fell into decay, which lasted until the middle of the 18th century , when the city became a customs point. During the period of economic stagnation of the XVI-XVIII centuries, the city gained fame for its embroidered stockings - this craft originated in it from the time of the Catholic parish.

In 1863 , a spa resort on Cape Kalevanniemi was founded, making the city a center of weekend tourism. In 1922, the estate of Kultaranta on about. Luonnonmaa , whose owner Alfred Kordelin was killed by Russian sailors during a military coup in 1917 , became the official summer residence of the President of Finland .

Since the 1950s the city began to flourish in connection with the establishment of heavy industry enterprises around it. In 1964 , its village suburbs were included in the city.

Since January 1, 2009 , the municipalities of Merimascu , Rumyatyul and Velkua have been included in Naantali.

Naughty income in the city is the second largest in Finland and the highest in the province of Southwest Finland .

In addition to spa resorts, an important attraction of the city, providing a regular influx of tourists, is the theme park " Country of Moomins " on about. Kylo , designed for children of preschool and primary school age. Near the Mumi Park, on the neighboring island of Vyaski , there is also an amusement park that operates in the summer (until August 18). It is possible to purchase a complex ticket, which gives the right to visit both parks.

Other attractions are the Hotel Spa in Naantali (the largest spa in Scandinavia) and the medieval cathedral. Near the city, in Lonnonmaa, is the official residence of the President of Finland - Kultaranta .

A boat runs between Turku and Naantali.

The is held annually in Naantali in June (in 2014, for the 35th time). Concerts within the framework of the festival are held at various venues, including in the restored Naantali monastery church, as well as in parks, restaurants and cruise liners ^{[2] [3]} .

In July, the traditional Carnival “Sleepy Head Day” is held annually.

The city has a power plant owned by the state-owned Fortum company, a Neste oil distillation plant (now also Fortum, after the merger of assets), as well as a number of large production and service enterprises. The seaport in Naantali is the third largest in Finland in terms of cargo turnover. In the port of Naantali, there is a large ExxonMobil Mobil engine oil factory, the main consumer of which is Russia.

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  Naantali Church - one of the oldest in Finland

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  Steamboat S / S Ukkopekka

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  Theme Park Moomin Country

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  Kultaranta - the future residence of the President of Finland, 1920

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  Kultaranta - residence of the President of Finland, 2006

• Town of Naantali - Official website
• Naantali Tourist Information Ltd
•   The Naantali Travel Guide at Wikiguide
• Naantali Spa Hotel
• Moomin world
• Vg-62