An accessible museum
Improving the accessibility of the museum is an essential and self-evident part of the work of the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum. Our starting point is that everyone has an equal right to move about within the museum and to experience the message that it conveys without any hindrance. Accessible spaces and exhibition benefit all visitors to the museum, not only certain groups.
During the past two years, the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum has actively invested in improving the accessibility of museum areas and exhibition content. In honour of this work, in 2006 the museum was granted the Kynnys Award by Kynnys ry (the Threshold Association), an organisation for the disabled.
Aboa Vetus - a museum for all the senses
In Aboa Vetus, you can learn about medieval Turku in an environment of stone buildings that date back six hundred years. This subterranean town stimulates all the senses of the visitor, and its lights, shadows, smells and sounds combine to create a unique museum experience. The exhibition also contains materials and objects excavated in the archaeological digging that visitors can learn about by actually touching.
Ars Nova - art and changing atmospheres
Ars Nova's permanent exhibition offers a diverse overview of contemporary art. On display are pictures, sculptures and installations. The changing exhibitions present a broad spectrum of contemporary art by combining different means of display: pictures, sculptures, installations, sound and moving images create a unique atmosphere for each exhibition.
It is easy to move around Ars Nova even in a wheelchair.
Do you have any questions about accessibility? If so, then contact us. (info(at)aboavetusarsnova.fi/+358 (0)2 2500 552)
Accessibility for special groups
Personal aids have free admission to museum.
The physically disabled
Invalid carriages
Invalid carriages may leave their passengers directly outside the main entrance to the museum.
Lifts
There is access to the second floor of Ars Nova by lift/elevator. Aboa Vetus has no lift, but the physically disabled can gain access to the museum through a special entrance very near the main entrance.
Toilets for the disabled
Toilet facilities for the disabled are situated on the first floor of Ars Nova.
Seats in the exhibition areas
Both Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova have seats for public use.
Moving about in a wheelchair
It is possible to tour both museums in a wheelchair, although moving around in Aboa Vetus has certain limitations, owing to the museum's location in the middle of medieval buildings. We would request that those visiting the museum in a wheelchair notify our staff on arrival, and if possible, in advance (info(at)aboavetusarsnova.fi/+358 (0)2-2500 552).
The blind and partially sighted
The lighting in Aboa Vetus is dimmed to help preserve the artefacts. The medieval ruins also set certain limitations on making the museum as accessible as possible. Because of this, there are steps and raised thresholds in some places, and it has not been possible to install handrails everywhere. It is therefore not recommended for blind or partially sighted people to tour the Aboa Vetus exhibition without the assistance of a sighted person.
Guide dogs
Guide dogs are welcome in all areas of our museum.
Audio material
Part of Aboa Vetus' permanent exhibition is presented using audio equipment.
Tactile material
Aboa Vetus' permanent exhibition has seven activity islands, where the visitor can concretely feel different medieval materials and try out some working methods.
Relief map
A portable relief map exists depicting Aboa Vetus, Ars Nova and other areas open to the public. It is available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Texts in plain language
Plain-language guidebooks
The museum's ticket office can provide plain-language guidebooks to support the accessibility of the content in the Aboa Vetus permanent exhibition. There are two types of book: one written from the perspective of a medieval child and a more general presentation of medieval Turku.