The Vestry

In the late summer of 1556, King Gustav Vasa sent craftsmen from Stockholm to Turku to transform the old-fashioned, dark and cramped medieval fortress into a Renaissance-style residential building. The master craftsmen who arrived at the castle at that time built a new ducal representative residence on the top floor of the main castle.

This vestry, located in the East Tower of the main castle, was the residential quarters for Duke John from 1558 to 1563. It was also the most important room of the castle at the time, as it was there that Duke John received important guests. It was a great tribute of respect if a guest was invited to see the duke in his personal residential quarters. The fireplace in the room was installed in 1558, but originally it was located on the left side of the stairs leading to the King's Hall. The walls of the duke’s living quarters were lined with wooden panelling.

The room served later as the royal sleeping chambers where Charles IX and Gustav II Adolf resided when visiting the castle. The room was converted into the Vestry in 1706 when the adjacent church was consecrated for use.