Naantali

Coordinates: 60°28′N 022°02′E / 60.467°N 22.033°E / 60.467; 22.033
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Naantali
Nådendal
City
Naantalin kaupunki
Nådendals stad
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.
Population by age
[4]
 • 0 to 1414.8%
 • 15 to 6458.8%
 • 65 or older26.3%
Time zoneUTC+02:00 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Websitewww.naantali.fi/en

Naantali (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈnɑːntɑli]; Swedish: Nådendal) is a town in Southwest Finland, and, as a resort town during the summer, an important centre of tourism in the country.[6][7][8] The municipality has a population of 19,999 (31 December 2023),[3] and is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Turku.

The town has a land area of 312.58 square kilometres (120.69 sq mi).[2] Most of this area is located on the islands, but the majority of the population lives on the mainland[citation needed]. Most of the islands are covered with forest and farmland, while the mainland consists chiefly of residential areas[citation needed].

History

One of the oldest towns in Finland, Naantali was founded around the medieval Brigittine convent Vallis gratiae (or Nådendal Abbey), the church of which still dominates its skyline. The charter was signed by King Christopher of Bavaria, 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

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 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 Southwest Finland.

Name

The name Naantali is the fennicised version of the Swedish name of the town, Nådendal. The Swedish name was given as a direct translation from the Latin Vallis Gratiae which literally means "The Valley of Grace".[1]

Tourism and points of interest

The proximity of both Turku, the region's administrative centre and largest city, and of the archipelago both contribute to the area's popularity with tourists.

Other points of interest in the city include

Naantali’s medieval convent stone church. The area also includes the official summer residence of the President of Finland, the Kultaranta estate which is located on Luonnonmaa.[citation needed
]

The

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.

Culture

Every July 27, Naantali celebrates the National Sleepy Head Day (Finnish: Unikeonpäivä; Swedish: Sjusovardagen). The old tradition is to throw a chosen "sleepy head", an usually Finnish celebrity, in the sea from the city's port at 8 a.m. The identity of the sleeper is kept secret until the event. People who are chosen have usually done something to the benefit of the city.[9][10][11][12]

Other industries

In addition to tourism, the city's main industries are

power plant and an oil refinery owned by the government-controlled company Fortum and Neste
.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland

Twin towns — Sister cities

Naantali is

twinned
with:

Notable people

Gallery

  • Naantali Church, one of the oldest monuments in Finland
    Naantali Church
    , one of the oldest monuments in Finland
  • Kultaranta Castle residence of the President of Finland, in 1920
    Kultaranta Castle
    residence of the President of Finland, in 1920
  • Steamship S/S Ukkopekka
    Steamship
    S/S Ukkopekka
  • Moomin World is one of the most popular theme parks of Northern Europe.
    Moomin World is one of the most popular theme parks of Northern Europe.
  • Street view in the summertime.
    Street view in the summertime.
  • Naantali old town and harbour
    Naantali old town and harbour
  • Litograph of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in Finland framstäldt i teckningar by Zacharias Topelius.
    Litograph of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in Finland framstäldt i teckningar by Zacharias Topelius.
  • Steel engraving of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in En resa i Finland by Zacharias Topelius
    Steel engraving of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in
    Zacharias Topelius

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Keskiaika - Suomen kaupungit keskiajalla". Katajala.net. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Area of Finnish Municipalities 1.1.2018" (PDF). National Land Survey of Finland. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  3. ^
    ISSN 1797-5395
    . Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Population according to age (1-year) and sex by area and the regional division of each statistical reference year, 2003–2020". StatFin. Statistics Finland. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Luettelo kuntien ja seurakuntien tuloveroprosenteista vuonna 2023". Tax Administration of Finland. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. ^ Naantali: the sunniest Finnish city to visit in summer – Itinari
  7. ^ A WALK THROUGH NAANTALI, THE SUNNIEST TOWN IN FINLAND! – Live Now, Dream Later
  8. ^ Naantali – Discovering Finland
  9. ^ People in Finland are celebrating National Sleepy Head Day and it’s awesome - Metro.co.uk
  10. ^ Unikeonpäivä: Sleepy Head Day in Finland - Big in Finland
  11. ^ Sleepyhead Day - YLE
  12. ^ National Sleepy Head Day: Church organist doused in Naantali - YLE

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naantali.
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