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The City of NaantaliTourist information Kaivotori 2 FIN-21100 Naantali Tel. + 358 21 4350 850 Fax 358 21 4350 852 Naantalin kaupunki Käsityöläiskatu 2 FIN-21100 Naantali Finland Tel. + 358 21 4345 111 Fax + 358 21 4353 060 |
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Naantali, the Valley of Mercy "Shining like the sun of Naantali," is a common saying in many parts of Finland when someone wants to describe a very happy person. Naantali, or the Valley of Mercy, as the place was originally called in Latin, developed around a convent in the late 15th century. The convent, belonging to the Order of Saint Birgitta, was founded in 1483. King Christopher of Sweden-Finland issued the ratifying charter, giving the convent trading rights and other privileges. In the shadow of the rich Catholic convent, the town developed. In mediaeval Finland, Naantali became an important pilgrimage centre. This first period of prosperity turned into a period of decline with the Reformation in the 16th century. As Protestantism became the official religion, the convent was closed, and 200 years passed before Naantali rose from the depression. The lifeline of the town during these two centuries was the craft of knitting stockings. This was a heritage from the nuns of the convent to the townspeople, and it developed into an important business. In the heyday of its production, 25,000 pairs of socks per year were sold to Turku, Stockholm, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Naantali survived by the heels of its stocings and business flourished. In the 1750s a customs chamber and a tollgate were built in the town. The gate was decorated with a wooden, shining sun, which became the symbol of Naantali. The town was brought to its next golden period by the spa, established in 1863. The spa was not only a health institution; it also offered its vistors an exciting social life and entertainment. The climax of the season was on 27th July, or Sleepyhead Day, which is still celebrated each year in Naantali. The town became a well known spa town. Naantali's peak period was in 1910-1920. The decision, in 1922, to make Kultaranta estate in Naantali the summer residence of the President of Finland raised the status of the town. It became the second seat of government in the country. The third period of prosperity started in the 1950s, as Naantali developed into an industrial town with a port. Today Naantali has around 12,000 inhabitants. The large-scale industry, mainly established in the 1950s, is of great importance to Naantali's economy. Neste's oil refinery, Imatra Voima's power station, Mobil Oil's lubricant plant and the State Granaries have played a central role in the development of Naantali. The harbour of Naantali is, as far as goods traffic is concerned, the third largest in Finland (1994). Passenger traffic is also of great importance to the harbour. The harbour's location is well protected by the archipelago and offers steady access, particularly in the winter season. At present, the passage leading from the Baltic to the harbour has a depth of 13 metres. In the near future the channel will be 14.3 metres deep. The large scale industries and the harbour make Naantali a busy town. But it is also a popular attraction for tourists. The spa traditions from the late 19th century are now carried on by the Spa of Naantali, built on Cape Kalevanniemi. The Spa is the largest in Scandinavia and one of the biggest congress centres in Finland. Those visiting Naantali would definitely not want to miss the old Convent Church. A stroll in the old town is also a pleasant experience. During the summer Naantali flourishes. In June there is the International Music festival, in July the celebration of the traditional Sleepyhead Day Carnival. Also worth visiting are the Namare Boat Show and the Naantali anniversary celebration in August. A recent national economic survey shows that Naantali is the most popular attraction for Finnish tourists. The popularity is probably due to the fact that Naantali, for a number of years, has made families with children a special target in its tourist marketing. A major tool in the strategy is the Moomin world, a fairy world construction, based on the characters in the books by Tove Jansson, a Finnish author. |
  
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