On July 11, 2025, the city of Turku welcomed a unique blend of maritime elegance and medieval spectacle as Hapag-Lloyd’s luxurious cruise ship MS Europa docked at the Port of Turku for the second time for this season.
This time the guests onboard MS Europa were welcomed by medieval knights and their stunning horses at the Turku Castle Tournament (Turun Linnan Turnajaiset), a four-day international championship of historical equestrian sports held in the lush gardens of Turku Castle. From July 10 to 13, the castle grounds transformes into a living medieval village, complete with knights in shining armor, jousting competitions, longsword duels, and bustling market stalls.
Castle tournament outside the port gates
Passengers from MS Europa were treated to a rare cultural experience just a short shuttle ride from the harbor. Many took the opportunity to witness the thrilling “Jousting” and “Skill at Arms” events, where riders in full armor charges at each other with lances at speeds nearing 80 km/h. Others strolled through the medieval fair, sampling traditional foods and browsing handcrafted goods.
This popular event is a beloved tradition of the locals and takes place each year in July.
To wrap up this eventful day the guests onboard MS Europa will be enjoying a traditional Finnish dinner onboard that includes for example pickled herring, that is a typical summer food for Finns to enjoy alongside some new potatoes.
Find out more about events in Turku here:
Photo: Annika Schulman / Port of Turku