- Tampere landmarks
- Kaleva Church, or Silos of Souls
- Tampere museums
- Children in Tampere
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
According to Finnish residents, Tampere is the most attractive place in Suomi for permanent residence. It lies on the shores of large lakes - Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi and is surrounded by forests. The climate in the city is very favorable, and the many attractions, unique architectural structures and museums make Tampere very popular with foreign tourists. The history of the city is only 250 years old, which is very little by the standards of the Old World. And nevertheless, to the question of where to go in Tampere, you will find a detailed and detailed answer in tourist guides.
The main list of advantages of Tampere includes many cultural events annually held by the municipality and public organizations for residents and visitors of the city.
Tampere landmarks
The people of Tampere call the surrounding nature their main attraction. There are 160 lakes in the city and its surroundings, and water occupies about a quarter of Tampere's territory. Its quality is so perfect that the water is suitable for drinking and cooking without any filtration.
Among the man-made attractions are architectural monuments, many temples and cathedrals, and even entire city squares:
- Tampere's main square is called Keskustori. It is worth going there for a sightseeing tour, and in order to dine on the terrace of a cafe in the summer.
- From the height of the observation deck of the tower on Pyyniki Harju, magnificent views of Tampere open up. Pyyuniki Harju is a moraine upland, or a hill formed by glacial deposits.
- Metso Library, which gets its name from the Finnish word for wood grouse. The shape of the structure is very reminiscent of a forest bird.
- The Old Church is one of the earliest religious buildings in Tampere. It was designed and built in 1828 by architects Carlo Bassi and Karl Engel. The latter is known for giving a classic architectural appearance to the historical part of Helsinki.
- The Aleksanteri Church was consecrated in the 80s. last century. Its architectural style can be described as neo-gothic. The height of the temple reaches 60 m, and it can accommodate up to 1200 visitors at a time. The Aleksanteri Church received its name in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who celebrated a quarter of a century on the throne on the day the first stone was laid in the foundation of the temple.
Another well-known architectural structure where fans of the Finnish style of romanticism should go in Tampere is the cathedral. At the beginning of the twentieth century. it was designed by Lars Sonck, and the frescoes for the temple were painted by Magnus Enckel and Hugo Simberg. They represented "symbolism" - an artistic trend that was extremely popular at the beginning of the last century. The Cathedral is considered the hallmark of the historical part of the city. Its gabled tower with a red tiled roof is clearly visible from different parts of Tampere.
Kaleva Church, or Silos of Souls
Among all the places of worship in the city, the Kaleva Church stands out especially. The shape of the structure is so atypical for religious buildings that the temple rather resembles a granary, for which it received its unofficial name Silos of souls.
In the 60s. of the last century, Lutherans decided to build their parish in Tampere, and according to the results of the competition of projects, the architect Reima Pietilä, who worked in the style of "organic architecture", won.
In terms of the future church, the outlines resembled a fish, in which Christian symbolism was traced. The walls of the temple turned out to be high and vertical, its area is 3600 square meters.m., and the main materials used in interior decoration are wood, glass and natural stone. Light enters the Kaleva Church through tall stained-glass windows and the play of shadows - another element of the interior decoration of the temple.
Organ music concerts are held in Kaleva. The instrument was manufactured in an organ factory in Kangasala. Its mechanism contains 3500 pipes of various sizes - from six meters to one and a half centimeters. The organ's façade height is 16 m.
Tampere museums
By the most conservative estimates, Tampere has at least two dozen museums of a wide variety of directions, and therefore, you will find where to go on an excursion with your family, and with children, and a female company, and a friendly male team:
- The Spy Museum presents various technological gimmicks and gadgets used by illegal agents and scouts around the world. Visitors will be able to try some of the presented exhibits in action, and the "Secret Agent Test" will tell you in which particular area of life you should improve your spy skills. Special agents for secret agents can be bought at the gift shop. The entrance ticket price is 8 euros.
- Another special museum in Tampere is dedicated to chains and handcuffs. Its exposition demonstrates devices for capturing and restraining criminals and tells the story of their evolution. The oldest shackles date back to the 6th century. A ticket to the Museum of Chains and Handcuffs entitles you to visit the Museum of Espionage.
- The appearance in Tampere of the only Lenin Museum in Western Europe is quite understandable: it was in this Finnish city that Ilyich prepared for the revolution and drew up his plan to overthrow the tsarist regime. For this purpose, the leader of the world proletariat rented a house, which now houses a museum exposition. On the stands there are busts, sculptures, flags, pennants, banners and other Leninist paraphernalia.
- In the Hockey Museum you can get acquainted with the history of the development of one of the most popular types of winter sports in Suomi. The halls show the awards of the Finnish national team, memorable photos from various high-profile competitions and the uniforms of the most famous players.
- The Sarah Hilden Museum will appeal to lovers of contemporary art. The art gallery exhibits paintings by Scandinavian artists who worked in the second half of the twentieth century.
The Pharmacy Museum, the Boxing Museum and the Exhibition of Stones and Minerals mined on the territory of the Scandinavian Peninsula are also of undoubted interest for tourists. In the Automobile Museum, cars from different times and eras are on display, and in the Central Museum of Finnish Workers, guides present the history of the emergence and development of trade unions and talk about the country's industrialization.
Children in Tampere
Tampere refutes the usual opinion of some travelers that holidays in Finland are rather boring and monotonous. There are many opportunities in the city for a vibrant and active weekend or vacation. Moreover, the age of young travelers can be absolutely any, because even the smallest can find entertainment to their liking.
A particularly popular address for families in Tampere is Särkänniemi Amusement Park:
- First, you can go to the park's Aquarium. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with representatives of two hundred species of fish and marine life from different parts of the world. Be careful and careful! Every 30 minutes a tropical storm sweeps over the mangroves.
- Do you feel genuine pleasure from one glance at the starry sky? Alas, in modern cities it is too light at night, and it is almost impossible to see the Milky Way. This is why the Särkänniemi Planetarium is always crowded and the multimedia show in several languages is attended by both adults and children.
- From the height of the observation tower of Nasinneul, the whole city is clearly visible. The observation deck can be reached by lift. He overcomes 168 m in just half a minute. At an altitude of 124 m.there is a restaurant in the tower, which, as often happens in such cases, slowly revolves.
- Dolphinarium is another reason to visit Tampere amusement park. Five brave artists demonstrate the most daring tricks, and after the presentation of hardworking dolphins, you can feed or take a photo with them as a souvenir.
- Upland horses, long-eared rabbits, sad donkeys and funny pigs live in the Särkänniemi Children's Zoo. A trampoline will help you relax, and ice cream stands will help you enjoy your favorite delicacy.
The list of attractions in the amusement park is very extensive and from three dozen names you will certainly choose something that suits you and your children. In summer, water slides, artificial river rafting and cheesecake rides are very popular. Young visitors will get a shot of adrenaline on the Tornado roller coaster, and a portion of laughter and joy on the Piglet Train.
Another cute address for kids' holidays in Tampere is the Valley of the Mummies. The Mummilaasko Museum is dedicated to the most beloved fairy-tale heroes of all Scandinavian children.
Note to shopaholics
Tampere's main shopping street is called Hämeenkatu. It crosses the city from west to east and invites tourists to buy all the best and most necessary. The kilometer-long street is home to many shops, boutiques, souvenir shops and supermarkets with Finnish delicacies.
Local products are also convenient and profitable to buy at city markets - the Kauppahalli covered bazaar, the Hämeenpuisto esplanade and the markets open on weekends and holidays in Tammellantori and Laukontori squares. Tampere's retail outlets are especially noisy and lively during sales days. Winter starts in December before Christmas, and summer starts in mid-July.
Delicious points on the map
Acquaintance with Finnish cuisine in Tampere will definitely go off with a bang, and, regardless of the status of the institution and the cost of the dishes. Finns know how and love to feed guests, and therefore feel free to go to any institution you like.
For example, in Vanha Ike you will not feel like in a restaurant, in the usual sense of the word. Rather, it will seem to you that you have come to visit a good friend. The establishment operates on Tamelantori Square, and its menu contains all the main Finnish dishes.
Viking restaurant Harald is famous for its medieval interior. In addition to classic meat and game dishes, he invites you to enjoy a special atmosphere and take colorful photos against the backdrop of Viking furniture.
Own beer and mead are special features of the Plevna establishment next to the cinema of the same name. The atmosphere of the pub in the Finnish version looks very nice, and the friendly waitresses do not let the guests get bored while waiting for the next mug for more than a few seconds.
The Pyynikki Tower restaurant is famous for its crumpets, glögg and cocoa. Ideal for Christmas get-togethers between holiday shopping.
