Turku (FI)

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Turku (Swedish: Åbo) is a city on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River, in the region of Finland Proper. Turku, as a town, was settled during the 13th century and founded most likely at the end of the 13th century, making it the oldest city in Finland. It quickly became the most important city in Finland, a status it retained for hundreds of years.

After Finland became part of the Russian Empire (1809), and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland was moved to Helsinki (1812),
Turku continued to be the most populous city in Finland until the end of the 1840s. Due to its geographical location, during war times it was a sought after occupational town, a high strategic target. It therefore came under administrative control for various periods of its history and Postal History. Turku remains a regional capital and an important business and cultural centre.

Postmark Examples

Finnish/Swedish cancel of TURKU/ABO on stamps of Sweden (ship cancelled) in 1921	Finnish/Swedish cancel of TURKU 10 ABO 10 in 1971
1993	TURUN usage which literally means "of Turku", 1998	Postmark Turku Abo, 2011. With lenticular (3-dimensional film) postage stamp.