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Naantali
—  City  —
Naantalin kaupunki
Images, from top, left to right: Naantali’s medieval stone church and SS Ukkopekka, Jöns Budde statue, Särkänsalmi bridge, the guest harbour and Old Town of Naantali, Moomin's haus in Moomin World (Muumimaailma), Naantali Old Town and Archipelago of Naantali.
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): The Sunshine Town
Location of Naantali in Finland
Coordinates: 60°28′N 022°02′E / 60.467°N 22.033°E / 60.467; 22.033Coordinates: 60°28′N 022°02′E / 60.467°N 22.033°E / 60.467; 22.033
Country	Finland
Region	Finland Proper
Sub-region	Turku sub-region
Charter	1443
Government
- Town manager	Timo Kvist
Area (2009-01-01)[1]
- Total	638.1 km2 (246.4 sq mi)
- Land	283.48 km2 (109.5 sq mi)
- Water	354.62 km2 (136.9 sq mi)
Area rank	192nd largest in Finland
Population (2009-12-31)[2]
- Total	18,528
- Density	65.36/km2 (169.3/sq mi)
Population rank	60th largest in Finland
Population by native language [3]
- Finnish	97.4% (official)
- Swedish	1.4%
- Others	1.2%
Population by age [4]
- 0 to 14	18%
- 15 to 64	66.1%
- 65 or older	15.9%
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Municipal tax rate[5]	17.25%
Website	www.naantali.fi

Naantali (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈnɑːntɑli]; Swedish: Nådendal, Latin: Vallis gratiae) is a city in south-western Finland, known as one of the most important tourist centres of the country. The municipality has a population of 18,528 (31 December 2009),^[2] and is located in the region of Finland Proper, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Turku.

The town encompasses a land area of 283.48 square kilometres (109.45 sq mi).^[1] Most of this area is located on the islands, but the majority of the population lives on the mainland. In fact, most of the island is beautiful forest and farmland, while the mainland consists chiefly of residential areas.

The Swedish name of the town, Nådendal, means literally "The Valley of Grace".

History

One of the oldest towns in Finland, Naantali was founded around the mediaeval Brigittine convent Vallis gratiae, the church of which still dominates its skyline. The charter was signed by King Christopher of Sweden, the then ruler of Finland, in 1443. The convent got trading rights and other privileges, and the town around it began to grow. It also became an important destination for pilgrimage.

In the 16th century, as Catholicism gave way to Protestantism as the official religion of Finland, the convent was closed, and the town plunged into a depression. This lasted until the mid-18th century, when the town got a tollgate and a customs chamber. In the two centuries of economic stagnation before that the town had become famous for its knitted stockings, a craft carried on from the times of the convent.

The year 1863 saw the founding of the spa at Cape Kalevanniemi, which raised the town's status as a holiday venue. In 1922, the Kultaranta estate on Luonnonmaa was made the official summer residence for the President of the Republic, after Finland had gained its independence five years earlier.

The true prosperity of the town began in the 1950s, as the heavy industries that dominate the city's economy were established. In 1964, the area and population of the town increased markedly as the surrounding rural municipality of Naantali (Naantalin maalaiskunta, which by now had a greater population than the town proper and thus was no longer rural) was annexed into it.

The municipalities of Merimasku, Rymättylä and Velkua were consolidated with Naantali on January 1, 2009.

The per capita tax income of the town is the second highest of all towns in Finland, and the highest in the province of Finland Proper.

Tourism and points of interest

This interesting divide between urban and rural is perhaps one reason as to why the city has been named the most popular tourist centre in the country in numerous surveys. Another factor affecting this is the proximity of both Turku, the region's administrative centre and largest city, and of the archipelago.

There are some important points of interest in the city, such as the Moomin World theme park on the island of Kailo.

Naantali Spa Hotel, the largest spa in Scandinavia, and the Naantali’s medieval convent stone church. The city's popularity as a tourist venue is highlighted by the fact that the official summer residence of the President of Finland, the Kultaranta estate, is located on Luonnonmaa.

The archipelago sea boat traffic is handled by S/S Ukkopekka. Old steamship cruise Naantali-Turku-Naantali.

Naantali hosts an international music festival every June, and the traditional Sleepyhead Day carnival in July.

Other industries

In addition to tourism, the city's main industries are electricity production, oil refining, manufacturing, and services. The Port of Naantali is the third largest in Finland in terms of goods traffic, and the city is home to a power plant and an oil refinery owned by the government-controlled company Fortum and Neste Oil.

Gallery

Naantali Church, one of the oldest monuments in Finland	Kultaranta Castle residence of the President of Finland, in 1920	Steamship S/S Ukkopekka	Kultaranta residence of the President of Finland, in 2006
Moomin World is one of the most popular theme parks of Northern Europe.	Street view in the summertime.	Naantali old town and harbour

References

External links

• Town of Naantali – Official website
• Naantali Tourist Information Ltd
• Naantali travel guide from Wikitravel
• Naantali Spa Hotel
• Moomin World
• VG-62

Municipalities of Finland Proper Municipalities Aura · Kaarina · Kimitoön · Koski Tl · Kustavi · Laitila · Lieto · Loimaa · Marttila · Masku · Mynämäki · Naantali · Nousiainen · Oripää · Paimio · Pyhäranta · Pöytyä · Raisio · Rusko · Salo · Sauvo · Somero · Taivassalo · Tarvasjoki · Turku · Uusikaupunki · Vehmaa · Väståboland Former municipalities Alastaro · Angelniemi · Askainen · Dragsfjärd · Halikko · Hiittinen · Houtskär · Iniö · Kakskerta · Kalanti · Karinainen · Karjala · Karuna · Kimito · Kiikala · Kisko · Kiukainen · Korpo · Kuusisto · Kuusjoki · Lemu · Loimaan kunta · Lokalahti · Maaria · Mellilä · Merimasku · Metsämaa · Mietoinen · Muurla · Naantalin maalaiskunta · Nagu · Paattinen · Pargas · Pargas landskommun · Perniö · Pertteli · Piikkiö · Pyhämaa · Rymättylä · Särkisalo · Somerniemi · Suomusjärvi · Uskela · Uudenkaupungin maalaiskunta · Vahto · Västanfjärd · Velkua · Yläne Finland Proper · Finland

From Wikitravel

Naantali (Swedish: Nådendal) [1] is a popular tourist destination near Turku in Western Finland.

Naantali Church and Harbor

Get in

All roads to Naantali lead via Turku, which is just 17 km away. There are frequent buses (Turku local buses 11 and 110, 30 min, €3,80), but passenger train service has been terminated.

Much slower and more expensive but far more scenic is the Ukkopekka [2] steamship twice daily direct to old Naantali and Moomin World. The journey winds through the gorgeous Turku archipelago and takes two hours each way (20/25€ one-way/return, operates June-Aug only).

FinnLink [3] also operates daily car ferries to Kapellskär, Sweden. This is the shortest and cheapest way across with a vehicle (60 Euros including driver), but the ferry is considerably more bare-bones than the floating palaces that operates out of Turku to Stockholm.

See

Naantali is very much a summer town, and many attractions are closed outside the June-August peak season.

• Moomin World (Muumimaailma), [4]. One of Finland's most popular amusement parks, dedicated to Tove Jansson's lovable Moomin characters (huge in Finland and Japan, but not too well known elsewhere). The blueberry-coloured Moomin House is the main attraction. Tourists are allowed to visit freely all the five storeys. Hemulen's yellow house is situated next door to the Moomin House. It is also possible to see Moominmama's Doughnut Factory, Fire Station, Pancake Factory, Snufkin's Camp, Moominpappa's boat etc. in Moomin World. Visitors may also meet Moomin characters there or the Witch in her cottage. Moomin World isn't a traditional amusement park. There are many activities and fantasy paths for kids there, e.g. Toffler's Path with Witch's Labyrinth, The Hattifatteners' Cave and The Groke's House. There are also performances in Moomin Theatre Emma. Moomin World is the world's 4th best theme park for children according to The Independent on Sunday (October 2005). Moomin World was also elected as the domestic travel destination of the year 2005 (Matkamessut, Finnish Travel Fair 2006). Moomin World got the Golden Pony Award 2007 by The Games & Parks Industry magazine. The Jury said: "Moomin World is welcoming, well themed and full of educational contents." The Moomin Bus (Muumibussi) connects directly to Turku. Note that the park is open only in the summer (Mid-June - Mid-August). The nearby Väski Adventure Island [5] is also a special sight for children.

• Kultaranta, [6]. Literally "Gold Coast", this is the summer residence of the Finnish president. Guided tours Jun-Aug daily except Monday, advance booking required.

• Convent Church (Naantalin kirkko). Built in 1443-1462, this is the oldest standing structure in the city and among the oldest anywhere in Finland. Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM May-Aug, Sun and Wed noon-2 PM Sept-Apr. Free entry.

• Naantali Spa Hotel, [7]. Finland's largest spa with roots dating back to the 18th century, even the Russian Czar has paid a visit. The resort includes a multitude of restaurants, a variety of rooms and large spa, beauty and pool services. The spa is the only Scandinavian member in the Royal Spas of Europe - affiliation. The resort is also well known in Scandinavia for arranging conferences. Off-season weekday rates can drop as low as 69€/person but climb dramatically in high season.

• Turku, Finland's ancient capital