Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova: Stepping into the past and present of Finland’s oldest city

By Ndéla Faye

On Turku’s picturesque riverside, the Aboa Vetus Ars Nova museum brings together archaeology and contemporary art under one roof.

Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is a place that welcomes visitors of all ages with open arms. Beneath the ground, Aboa Vetus, Finland’s only archaeological museum, draws in anyone fascinated by history and offers a rare opportunity to step back in time and explore the past in Finland’s oldest city.

The museum emerged from extensive urban archaeological excavations carried out in the 1990s, and today visitors can wander through the basements of medieval stone houses, follow one of the main streets and the narrow alleys of medieval Turku, and gain a vivid sense of what life was like centuries ago. “What makes the experience particularly impressive is that you can explore the ruins in situ, in their original location,” says Vilma Aaltonen, communications planner at Aboa Vetus Ars Nova.

Matti Rag Paananen, 7th scream, 2016. The piece is currently on display at Ars Nova. Photo: Jari Laurén

Throughout the year, the museum hosts guided tours and a lively programme of events, including free archaeology lectures, although many of these are held in Finnish. “The museum encourages hands-on exploration through play and interactive features, making it an especially engaging stop for families,” Aaltonen adds.

The museum’s premises also include an atmospheric chapel located in the cellar of a large medieval stone house. The chapel can be rented for private occasions, including weddings and christenings. Recent renovations have made Aboa Vetus even more accessible, allowing more people to discover the stories and atmosphere of old Turku.

Part of Umppa Niinivaara’s work, Planetary, 2025. The piece is currently on display at Ars Nova. Photo: Jari Laurén

Contemporary art in a historic palace

Above ground, spread across two floors of the impressive Rettig Palace, the Ars Nova museum showcases contemporary art in all its forms. It speaks to curious minds and to visitors eager to experience the ever-changing landscape of contemporary artistic expression. The museum’s exhibitions highlight current artists and perspectives on a wide range of themes, offering visitors a continually renewed opportunity to familiarise themselves with works by both Finnish and international artists.

Maija Tammi, detail from Hulda & Lilli, 2023.

Currently, Ars Nova hosts three art exhibitions. Until late March 2026, the first floor of Ars Nova is dedicated to Finnish artist Umppa Niinivaara’s nature-inspired exhibition, Cave. It explores the unique possibilities of clay and ceramics, delving into forms that emerge from both above and below the surface. “The exhibition takes visitors into another dimension, a space set apart from the world outside. It truly has to be experienced in person,” Aaltonen says.

On the second floor, visitors can explore a rare debut exhibition dedicated to Matti Rag Paananen (1939–2022) until late March. The Turku-born multidisciplinary artist was known for his music, poetry, compositions, and visual art. His oeuvre includes around 700 paintings, and the exhibition presents a generous cross-section of his creative world, featuring imaginative self-portraits, pocket-sized travel paintings, acrylic works reflecting global events, and pieces inspired by music.

The second floor of the museum also houses the collection exhibition Two Rooms, which presents highlights and recent acquisitions from the art collection of Aboa Vetus Ars Nova Foundation. The collection comprises more than 600 works from the modern and contemporary canon, including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor, Andy Warhol, Niki de Saint Phalle, and many others.

The museum’s spacious lobby houses Brunndeli café and restaurant, which gives visitors the perfect opportunity to take a breather and recharge during their visit. On weekends, the restaurant’s brunches attract people as much for the food as for the welcoming atmosphere. “Before leaving, visitors should also take a moment to explore the museum shop, where a playful architectural touch allows glimpses into the cellars of Aboa Vetus below through windows set into the shop floor,” says Aaltonen.

Pablo Picasso, Man with a Sword, 1969. The piece is part of Aboa Vetus Ars Nova museum’s art collection, currently on display at Ars Nova.

A glimpse into what is coming

In spring 2026, the museum will present a photography and video exhibition by Finnish artist Maija Tammi, delving into the theme of empathy through visual storytelling. The season will also unveil a renewed selection from the museum’s art collection. Later in the year, designer and visual artist Antti Eklund will debut a project infused with pop art traditions. In addition, the museum will host an exhibition showcasing works from the collection of PoCo, the pop and contemporary art museum in Tallinn.

Meanwhile, Aboa Vetus will unveil a new display in February featuring treasure objects from the Museum of Turku Cathedral.

Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is the perfect way to dive into the past and the present and explore – literally – the city’s ancient foundations, while standing firmly in the present.