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Tuorla Observatory is more than just a research institution. A part of the astronomy teaching of the University of Turku takes place here. International scientific conferences are held here annually and local conferences and meetings frequently. Our lecture hall is rented for local businesses and organisations for their meetings and Tuorlan Astronomical Society offers a wide package of tours, presentations and lectures on astronomy to general public.
The observatory is located some 12 kilometres from Turku towards Helsinki between the city of Kaarina and the municipality of Piikkiö. Please, see a map in Turku area phone book (in Fonecta book: on pages 13 and 14, at co-ordinates 9 vertical / 86 horizontal; in Eniro book: on page 5, at co-ordinates 09/BY) or the one in the web (note that the arrow blinks in a random location).
The main road passing the observatory is road number 110. The junction off this road is marked with a sign with names Varsinais-Suomen maaseutuoppilaitos, Tuorlan observatorio, and Tuorlantie on it (see the photo on the right). Continue about 50 metres on a birch tree alley and turn left (there is a sign pointing to Tuorla Observatory). This road takes you past a couple of buildings and enters the woods, ascends to a hill, passes a couple of domes and finally arrives to the main buildings of the observatory, about 400 metres from the turning.
Take any bus from Turku going to Piikkiö, Paimio, Kemiö, or Taalintehdas. You may also take one going to Salo, but make sure this is not an Expressbus, which does not stop at small bus stops. Most buses leave from the main bus station and some from the marketplace. They all take passengers from the cathedral bus stop, or any other stop along Uudenmaankatu. Ask for a ticket to Tuorla. It will cost you a few euros and takes 20-30 minutes. If uncertain where to stop the bus, watch directly ahead and when you see the tall tower dome of Tuorla 1 metre telescope, move to the driver and remind him to stop at the Tuorla bus stop. Do not press the stopping signal when you see the tower, because then you are dropped off one bus stop too early. The Tuorla bus stop is next to the abovementioned junction and the street signs in the photo on the right.
1) Coming from Turku, using the motorway: Drive some 10 kilometres and look for a junction marked with number 7. Depart the motorway there, turn right and drive about a kilometre to road number 110. Turn right and drive another kilometre until, in a middle of a long strip of straight road, you find the junction off the road and see the street signs in the photo on the right.
2) Coming from Turku, using the road number 110: Drive some 10 kilometres, you will see the tall tower dome of Tuorla 1 metre telescope on a forest hill about a kilometre before you should turn off at the junction with the street signs in the photo on the right.
3) Coming from Helsinki: Some 15 kilometres before Turku begin to look for a junction marked with number 7. Depart the motorway there, turn left and drive about a kilometre to road number 110. Turn right and drive another kilometre until, in a middle of a long strip of straight road, you find the junction off the road and see the street signs in the photo on the right.
Parking: There is plenty of parking space at the observatory. If you like, you may also visit Hostel Tuorla and walk the 400 metres from there.
We have two guest apartments at the Observatory -- one with kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom; the other smaller, with just a bedroom, and access to a bathroom and sauna nearby. Long-term visitors are very welcome to use these facilities at no cost. The closest place to eat lunch and access a limited supply of groceries is Hostel Tuorla 400 metres from the observatory. Longer-term visitors will more likely purchase their groceries from Kaarina, a lively community about 4 km from the Observatory. A bicycle is available for guests as well (best used only in the summer months)! There are good bus services going right past the observatory to Kaarina and Turku, and timetables are available at the Observatory reception.
For non-academic visitors, we have a lecture hall which is available for public hire. If you would like to use it (maximum capacity of 60 seats), please see a more detailed description of terms of use here. Observatory presentations are arranged for visitor groups. Please see further information.
Tuorla Observatory was founded in 1952 to replace the old observatory near city centre of Turku. Since then this special unit of the University of Turku has grown to the largest astronomical institute in Finland. Please, read more on our history page.
