Naantali

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 Catholicism gave way to Protestantism as the official religion of Sweden (which Finland was part of at the time), 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 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".

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 Moomin World, a theme park on the island of Kailo, and 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 the island of 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.

Culture

Every July 27, Naantali celebrates the National Sleepy Head Day (; ). The old tradition is to throw a chosen "sleepy head", usually a 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.

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.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Naantali is twinned with:

• SWE Vadstena, Sweden
• DEN Nordfyn, Denmark
• NOR Svelvik, Norway
• ISL Vesturbyggð, Iceland
• POL Puck, Poland

Previously:

• RUS Kirovsk, Russia

Notable people

• Kaarlo Heinonen (1878–1944)
• Teppo Rastio (born 1934)
• Pekka Siitoin (1944–2003)
• Keijo Virtanen (born 1945)
• Ilkka Kantola (born 1957)
• Lauri Heikkilä (born 1957)
• Jukka Vilander (born 1962)
• Cristal Snow (born 1975)

Gallery

File:Naantalin kirkko.jpg|Naantali Church, one of the oldest monuments in Finland File:Kultaranta 1920.jpg|Kultaranta Castle residence of the President of Finland, in 1920 File:SS Ukkopekka 1.jpg|Steamship S/S Ukkopekka File:Muumimaailma naantali 11.jpeg|Moomin World is one of the most popular theme parks of Northern Europe. File:Street in Naantali.jpg|Street view in the summertime. File:SS Ukkopekka port of Naantali.JPG|Naantali old town and harbour File:Nådendal, Finland framstäldt i teckningar 7.jpg|Litograph of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in Finland framstäldt i teckningar by Zacharias Topelius. File:Utsigt af Nådendal från syd-vest - Berndt Lindholm - En resa i Finland - 022.jpg|Steel engraving of Nådendal from mid-19th century, published in En resa i Finland by Zacharias Topelius

References

References

1. [https://www.itinari.com/naantali-the-sunniest-finnish-city-to-visit-in-summer-3fa2 Naantali: the sunniest Finnish city to visit in summer – Itinari]
2. {{usurped
3. [https://www.discoveringfinland.com/southern-finland-archipelago/naantali/ Naantali – Discovering Finland]
4. "Keskiaika - Suomen kaupungit keskiajalla". Katajala.net.
5. [https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/27/people-finland-celebrating-national-sleepy-head-day-awesome-7767706/ People in Finland are celebrating National Sleepy Head Day and it’s awesome - Metro.co.uk]
6. [https://en.biginfinland.com/unikeonpaiva-sleepys-head-day-finland/ Unikeonpäivä: Sleepy Head Day in Finland - Big in Finland]
7. [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/sleepyhead_day/5289753 Sleepyhead Day - YLE]
8. [https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/national_sleepy_head_day_church_organist_doused_in_naantali/7378306 National Sleepy Head Day: Church organist doused in Naantali - YLE]