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Finland
Turku
Turku Castle
 In the 12th century Christian missionaries embarked on a concerted effort to convert Finland to Christianity, in some cases by the means of force. In 1172 the Pope fearful that the Finns might renounce Christianity urged Sweden to maintain a presence in the country by permanently manning fortresses, a policy which ultimately led to the construction of Turku Castle. READ MORE
Turku Cathedral
 Dating from the middle of the 13th century Turku Cathedral began as a small wooden church consecrated as the church of St. Mary built on the hill of Unikankare in the centre of Turku. With the trading centre of Turku developing into the most important in Finland, the Bishop’s see of the Diocese of Finland was transferred from Koroinen with the church being rebuilt with stone and consecrated as the Cathedral in 1300 when it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also to the patronage of St. Henry, the first bishop in Finland. READ MORE
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