Yesterday we visited the Art Bank art museum, which turned out to have some real surprises. The day before yesterday we tried some of the most typical winter activities in the Turku archipelago: ice fishing and sauna bathing. Yesterday it was time to continue exploring the archipelago outside Turku. We started in Korpo, where a barefoot trail in the forest offered unexpected surprises. Then we went to an art museum with an impressive collection in Pargas.
Artistic barefoot path in Korpo
We started the morning with breakfast at the hotel Nestor in Korpo. The hotel is cosy and aims to offer guests traditional archipelago life mixed with modern comfort, art and culture.
Many artists live in the Turku archipelago and a collaborative project between them has resulted in the "barefoot path" - a path through the forest that (in the summer!) should be experienced with the soles of your feet on the ground. The January cold did not allow for a barefoot walk, but we could still experience the artworks placed everywhere in the forest!
Art Bank art museum in Pargas
After the art walk in the forest, it was time for more art. Then it was off to the art museum Art Bank in Pargas. Coming here is an interesting experience, even for those who are not insanely interested in art. The museum primarily houses a private and impressive collection of art and furniture signed by Salvador Dalí.
As you may know, Dalí is one of the greats of surrealist art. During his lifetime he was known to be both grandiose and eccentric, and his art is special to say the least. A little information from the knowledgeable and passionate owner of the museum makes the visit even more interesting. Don't miss out if you're in the neighbourhood! The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday and admission is €8.
More to see in the neighbourhood
There is much to see in and around Turkuand we can recommend, among other things Turku Castle, if Turku archipelago in winter splendour and if beer tasting at school in Turku. There is also much to what to see and do in Helsinki. Even more tips for Finland can be found below.
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Lennart says:
Nice experiences!
19 January 2016 - 9:27
Mr Steve says:
What an amazing experience you will have. The barefoot path is truly an art experience beyond the ordinary.
19 January 2016 - 8:54
Alexandra says:
That barefoot path sounded interesting, I'll try to memorise it for when it's warmer! It definitely sounds like the Turku archipelago is worth a visit. I've only been to Turku once and then we just stayed in the city centre to spend the day in the Moomin world. 🙂
PS. I've started blogging again, at a new address too. ? Ds.
19 January 2016 - 9:40
Ama de casa says:
Ooh! I have become a bit of a Dalí fan. After visiting the museum in his home town of Figueres, we also checked out Dalí museums in Paris and St Peterburg in Florida.
And I'm not even particularly interested in art....
What fun things you get to do! 🙂
19 January 2016 - 11:20
Ditte says:
So very nice! You get to see and experience so much and I'm sure it's very exotic for many participants. I have been in the neighbourhood of Pargas and at the Art Bank, but in the summertime.
It's really nice to get around the Turku archipelago in the summer by bike or other means.
Fun to now take part in the winter here. Lovely pictures and fun to keep up with. (I have experienced Åland and the Åland archipelago in winter, but only in Helsinki and Turku).
19 January 2016 - 11:31
Helga says:
How exciting!
19 January 2016 - 11:50
admin says:
Steve, that's an interesting idea even if we couldn't try the barefoot thing right now 😉.
Lennart, really!
Alexandra, Turku is a nice city but the archipelago also has a lot to offer! What fun that you started blogging again! I will of course check it out!
Ama de casa, what fun! We can definitely recommend the Art Bank in Pargas, apparently the best Dali exhibition in Europe! 🙂 And we agree - lots of fun stuff 🙂 .
Ditte, some things are a bit exotic even for us, but of course much more so if you come from China or Japan 😉 Glad you were at Art Bank!
Helga, very exciting, and lots left! 🙂
19 January 2016 - 12:19
Helena says:
The barefoot path sounds cosy to walk on, during the summer then. In winter, I would not want to walk on it barefoot either 🙂 Fun to discover art like this in the forest.
19 January 2016 - 12:38
admin says:
Helena, walking is a bit more fun when you never know what's behind the next tree 😉.
19 January 2016 - 12:54
Annika says:
How wonderful you have it in Finland. The Turku archipelago is so incredibly beautiful!
You can go back with Freedom in the summer, oh my!
Pargas is nice.
The barefoot path seems wonderful.
Such nice pictures from your stay in Finland!
19 January 2016 - 14:34
admin says:
BP, yes haha, Finland can be a bit exotic 🙂 I also liked both the idea of a barefoot path and the artworks that were placed here and there in the forest. We were also very surprised that there was so much Dali art in this small place, apparently the best Dali collection in Europe!
Annika, we can only agree, it's really super nice here! And yes, I think it could be perfect to drive around here with a motorhome in the summer. Glad you like our pictures! 🙂
19 January 2016 - 14:57
BP says:
It just gets more and more exotic here on your blog:-) The artworks on Barfotastigen are absolutely superb. I would love to see them during the summer. What a fun idea! Oh what a trip you make!
I'm not a Dali fan, but I'm still surprised that so many of his artworks are in "little" Pargas.
PS. Understand that real winter clothes were needed... DS.
19 January 2016 - 14:12
nils-åke hansson says:
We liked the Åboland archipelago. Those of you who have a guide and are there in the winter are still more exciting.
19 January 2016 - 17:02
admin says:
Nils-Åke, glad you liked the archipelago here. We do too! 🙂
19 January 2016 - 17:28
Marina says:
Dali's artworks are awesome. And I have to say that I like them more and more and you can always find something new every time you look at something created by him.
19 January 2016 - 17:30
Krisztina says:
I also liked that side table of a lamb.
19 January 2016 - 17:59
Role o Carina says:
Looks exciting and interesting in Finland where you are!
But the cold there nothing appealing,in the north down to -34 🙂 🙂 .
Have fun and enjoy....
19 January 2016 - 18:59
Deciree says:
But so nice for you. You look like you are having a great time 🙂 Hugs!
19 January 2016 - 19:26
admin says:
Marina, I am not particularly interested in art or knowledgeable, but I also like Dalí's art 🙂 .
Krisztina, when I see it, I feel like all the other furniture is way too uncreative, haha 😉.
Rolle and Carina, today we have met a lot of bloggers who have been on "pre-tour" in northern Finland and they have had just as cold as you write! We have had a much better climate in Turku 🙂.
Deciree, really super nice here, and I think it must be nice in the summer too! 🙂
19 January 2016 - 22:17
Ulla widing says:
It looked very nice out in the forest with all the art, the whole stay looks to be pleasant....?
20 January 2016 - 2:22
Steel city anna says:
What a beautiful building the hotel is. Very nice and cosy. I'll leave the artworks uncommented haha!
22 January 2016 - 17:32
admin says:
Ulla Widing, it was a bit cosy and exciting with a forest full of art! 🙂
Steel city Anna, the hotel is very cosy and nice too! And you should have different opinions about art 😉.
22 January 2016 - 22:08
Aaa says:
How revolutionary, and wise, to immerse yourself in neighbouring Finland! But believe me, the archipelago is even more beautiful in summer and thus deserves at least one more visit... We were not in Korpo itself, only in Galtby. We also skipped Pargas, except for Hesburger. We mostly immersed ourselves in Nagu and Kökar.
15 February 2016 - 20:11
Christina says:
That exhibition looks really exciting! Salvador Dali's art has a way of inspiring.
Have fun!
14 August 2016 - 22:06
Daliwall says:
I'm glad you liked ArtBank Finland. Remember that it is a private art gallery. The Dalí Foundation does not allow the term museum to be used.
Welcome back. We are on fb and instagram as Artbank Finland. ArtBank.fi
29 September 2016 - 17:48