Extensive excavations reveal centuries-old coins beneath Turku City Hall

Archaeologists in Turku have uncovered rare 16th-century coins and artefacts during large-scale excavations beneath the city’s historic City Hall building, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The oldest finds include coins dating back to the late 1500s, along with fragments of ceramics and glass from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among the discoveries is a coin minted in 1599, one of the earliest yet found at the site.

The excavations are part of a major renovation project covering the entire City Hall block, which includes six protected buildings and one new construction. The work, carried out in collaboration with the Turku City Museum and the Finnish Heritage Agency, will reinforce foundations and redesign courtyard areas while preserving historical elements.

Unusual findings challenge historical records

Unlike typical urban excavations, where older layers often yield the most significant discoveries, the City Hall site has produced relatively few artefacts given the volume of earth moved. Most finds date from the 18th and 19th centuries, according to Kari Uotila, lead archaeologist at Muuritutkimus Oy, the firm overseeing the dig.

“Historical records of the New Town’s plots from the 1600s and the archaeological evidence haven’t yet aligned,” Uotila noted, highlighting a gap between documented history and physical findings.

Centuries of urban life beneath modern structures

The City Hall building itself was completed in 1812 as the Seurahuone hotel and restaurant, a hub of Turku’s social life. The city council began meeting there in 1885 and will return in 2029 after renovations. Beneath it, however, lie traces of earlier occupation: the block was part of Turku’s town plan by the mid-1600s, with continuous urban settlement until the 1800s.

Courtyard buildings on the site include 18th-century log structures and 19th-century stone buildings, while the park in front dates to the Seurahuone era. The current excavations began in late 2024 and will continue alongside renovation work until autumn 2028.