Aboa Vetus Ars Nova

About the museum

Aboa Vetus Ars Nova came into being in the 1990s as a result of extensive urban archaeological excavations in Turku. The museum operates on the ruin site of the Luostarikortteli (Cloister Block), about 600 years old, where there are cellars, passages and foundations of medieval stone houses. The oldest cellars date from the 14th century, and the layers of the site extend to the early 20th century.

The main building of the museum, the present Rettig Palace, was completed in 1928 as a private residence for the Rettig family. The drawings were made in the office of Bertel and Valter Jung in Helsinki, and Valter Jung is considered to have designed the interior too, except for the library and the large dining room. The building follows the spirit of Baroque classicism, and two gardens were planned around it. The Aboa Vetus Ars Nova Foundation bought the palace in 1991. The intention was to house the foundation’s art collection there, but the archaeological remains discovered during the restoration expanded the project. The Ars Nova contemporary art museum was opened in the palace, and the archaeological Aboa Vetus museum under its garden.

Today the museum combines archaeology and contemporary art. The archaeological collection contains tens of thousands of finds excavated from the Rettig plot between 1994 and 2019, dating from the 13th to the 20th century. The art collection comprises more than 600 works of Finnish and Western art, and it originated from the private collection of the businessman Matti Koivurinta.

Highlights

• Underground archaeological museum Aboa Vetus and the Luostarin jokikatu (Cloister River Street)
• Cellars of medieval stone houses from the 14th century
• Rettig Palace from 1928
• Ars Nova contemporary art museum and the foundation’s art collection
• Scale model of the Great Market Square of Turku in 1499

Permanent exhibitions

• Aboa Vetus – vanha Turku – The underground archaeological museum presents the history of Finland’s oldest town in the ruins of medieval stone houses and on Luostarin jokikatu (Cloister River Street).
• Ars Nova – taidekokoelma – The contemporary art space of the Rettig Palace presents the foundation’s art collection and contemporary art in changing displays.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Aboa Vetus Ars Nova -säätiö

Director

Ari Valkki

Admission & discounts

The price of €20 applies to the whole museum. The Museokortti is accepted. Accepted payment benefits include Smartum, Ticket Virike, Virike, Edenred, Kimmoke, ePassi and Eazybreak.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Stair lifts installed in the renovation of spring 2025 make it possible to move by wheelchair across almost the whole Aboa Vetus area. Visitors with lighter aids can get around a large part of the area, but on the stairs and on paved areas staff assistance is needed. Wheelchair users enter through the step-free entrance, which is outside; on arrival it is best to turn to the staff or contact the museum in advance. Lighting was improved in 2025, but the ruins area has stairs and thresholds, so an assistant is recommended for visually impaired visitors. There are seats both in Aboa Vetus and in Ars Nova, and folding chairs can be borrowed from the ticket desk. Guide dogs are welcome. Easy-read guided tours are offered.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The children’s adventure tour is for ages 5–8, for up to 15 children at a time: the children act as assistant detectives and carry out archaeologists’ tasks, and each receives a prize at the end. The tour is also suggested as a programme for birthday parties. The family ticket covers 1–2 adults and children under 15.

Getting there & parking

Buses and accessible taxis can drop passengers in front of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Brunndeli and the museum shop, which sells gifts, postcards, toys and books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit