Turku has hundreds of streets, alleys and parks, all with unique names. Some of the names are old historical names, others are the result of nomenclature design. On this page you will find information about names and naming in Turku.

On this page

Turku place names

The oldest street name still in use in Turku is Hämeenkatu. It is first mentioned in written sources in 1426 under the Swedish name ”Tauastagathuna”. Most of the street names in the city centre derive from the 1830 decision to name the streets of the C. L. Engel town plan, or from the 1890 naming reform. Outside the city centre, the nomenclature has been developed by a naming committee throughout the post-war period.

The names carry with them the history of the city and are part of its cultural heritage. Names are based on local geographical names and place-related information. In new areas, the nomenclature is developed around a single theme, which helps to identify the name as belonging to a particular area.

As Turku is a bilingual municipality, all streets, parks and other public areas have names in both Finnish and Swedish.

Check the meaning of names on the map

The map below shows the meaning of names. Click on the map pin to read more.

Place names on the map

Planning new names

Name planning is part of land use planning. Names are given in the zoning plan:

  • districts
  • streets
  • parks
  • squares
  • other public areas.
     

Turku's nomenclature planning - i.e. the selection of new names - is the responsibility of the Nomenclature Committee. It is a committee of ten members, made up of elected representatives.

As a citizen, you can send your own name proposal for a new area, street or park by sending an email to  kaupunkisuunnittelu@turku.fi.

Formation of addresses

The address numbers of plots in new zoning districts will be assigned once the zoning plans are finalised. The address consists of the address name, the address number and, where applicable, the apartment identifier, e.g. Linnankatu 57 E 10. The address is given to buildings when applying for a building permit.

The principles are:

  • In the zoned area, numbers are given in order by plot, with odd numbers on the right side of the street and even numbers on the left side, as seen from the beginning of the road.
  • In a rural area, the number is assigned according to how far the property's access is from the beginning of the road. For example, if the distance is 10 metres, the number will be 1.

For more information on addressing and numbering, please contact Jouni Ruotsi, Urban Environment Services.