Naantali

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. 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 of Naantali Coat of arms
Nickname(s): The Sunshine Town
Location of Naantali in Finland Location of Naantali in Finland
Country	Finland
Region	Southwest Finland
Sub-region	Turku sub-region
Charter	1443
Government
• Town manager	Timo Kvist
Area (2011-01-01)
• Total	688.01 km2 (265.64 sq mi)
• Land	311.50 km2 (120.27 sq mi)
• Water	376.51 km2 (145.37 sq mi)
Area rank	181st largest in Finland
Population (2016-03-31)
• Total	18,992
• Rank	60th largest in Finland
• Density	60.97/km2 (157.9/sq mi)
•	18 800
Population by native language
• Finnish	97.4% (official)
• Swedish	1.4%
• Others	1.2%
Population by age
• 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	17.25%
Website	www.naantali.fi

Naantali (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈnɑːntɑli]; Swedish: Nådendal) 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 18,992 (31 March 2016), and is located in the region of Southwest Finland, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Turku.

The town encompasses a land area of 311.50 square kilometres (120.27 sq mi). Most of this area is located on the islands, but the majority of the population lives on the mainland. Most of the islands are covered with forest and farmland, while the mainland consists chiefly of residential areas.

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 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

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.

International relations

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

Twin towns — Sister cities

Naantali is twinned with:

• Vadstena, Sweden
• Nordfyn, Denmark
• Svelvik, Norway
• Vesturbyggð, Iceland
• Puck, Poland
• Kirovsk, Russia

Gallery

• 

  Naantali Church, one of the oldest monuments in Finland

• Kultaranta 1920.jpg

  Kultaranta Castle residence of the President of Finland, in 1920

• 

  Steamship S/S Ukkopekka

• SS Ukkopekka Kultaranta 1.jpg

  Kultaranta residence of the President of Finland, in 2006

• 

  Moomin World is one of the most popular theme parks of Northern Europe.

• Street in Naantali.jpg

  Street view in the summertime.

• SS Ukkopekka port of Naantali.JPG

  Naantali old town and harbour

See also

• Pekka Siitoin

External links

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