Oulu Tourist Attractions
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Oulu (Swedish Uleåborg), chief town of Oulu province and the see of a bishop, lies near the north end of the Gulf of Bothnia at the mouth of the Oulujoki. It has a University, founded in 1959. In spring there are numerous sporting events (skiing competitions, etc.) in the Oulu area.HistoryTowards the end of the 16th century King John III of Sweden built a castle (Finnish linna) on the island of Linnansaari at the mouth of the river, and the town grew up on this island, receiving its municipal charter in 1610. In 1822 it was almost completely destroyed by fire, and thereafter was rebuilt in accordance with a plan prepared by Johan Albrecht Ehrenström. During the 19th century the trade in tar flourished, and the town prospered accordingly.
Oulu Cathedral
At the north end of the busy Kirkkokatu in Oulu stands the Cathedral, built in 1770-72 and, after being destroyed by fire in 1822, rebuilt in 1828-32; the interior was renovated and redecorated with paintings in 1932. To the left of the entrance a monument (by Wäinö Aaltonen) commemorates those who fell in the fight for liberation in 1918. In the gardens in front of the church is a bronze bust of the Finnish-Swedish bishop and poet F. M. Franzén (1772-184&), who was born in Oulu.On the north side of the gardens, at Linnankatu 3, are the Provincial Government Offices (Lääninhallitus; 1888).
Ainola Park
From the north end of Kirkkokatu in Oulu a small bridge leads into the beautiful Ainola Park, on an island. At the west end of the island is a handsome building (1930) which houses the Municipal Library (Kirjasto) and the Provincial Museum (historical and ethnographic collections; exhibition on Lapland). In front of the building a stone commemorates the writer Saara Wacklin (1790-1846), a native of Oulu. Farther north is the Botanic Garden and on the island of Hupisaari a summer theater.
Tietomaa Science Center
To the east of the Oulu Botanic Garden, beyond a small stream, is the Tietomaa Science Center, an introduction to science for the whole family, with an observatory, a computer exhibition and a cinema showing films on science and natural history.There are over 150 exhibits with changing themes and a glass elevator that offers a spectacular view over Oulu.
Town House
Southwest of the Oulu Cathedral, in Hallituskatu, is the Town House (Kaupungintalo; 1894), and beyond this, in Torikatu, the old Town House, now the police headquarters. At the far end of Asemakatu is the Museum of Art.
Market Square
To the west of the Oulu Art Museum, on the banks of the Oulujoki, lies the spacious Market Square (Kauppatori), with the Theater and Congress Hall. To the north is the Bus Station.
Castle Island
To the east of the Oulu Market Square are two bridges leading on to Linnansaari (Castle Island), on which there are the scanty remains of the Castle (built 1590), which was destroyed by an explosion in 1793 (summer cafe). The road continues over another arm of the river to the island of Raatinsaari, with a park, a stadium, an indoor swimming pool and a number of high-rise towers.
Modern Residential District
A bridge from Oulu leads north on to the island of Toivoniemi, on which is a modern residential district built in the 1940s to the design of Alvar Aalto. To the east of this is a hydroelectric station powered by the Merikoski, the last of the rapids on the Oulujoki. The power station (by Aarne Ervi, 1949-57) is one of the finest examples of Finnish industrial architecture of the postwar period.
Tuira
A bridge from Oulu leads to the suburb of Tuira, on the north bank of the river, in which are a number of schools.To the north of the town, in the Puolivälinkangas district, is the Water Tower (viewing platform).
Oulu University
To the north of Oulu, in the Linnanmaa district, is the University with a Geological and a Zoological Museum on the campus.
International Festival of Children's Films
Oulu International Festival of Children's Films is in November.The week-long festival includes a competition for the best film, after which directors are presented with a Starboy figurine and cash prize.The festival includes several dozen feature-length films from throughout the world, and special releases from Finland.
Ice-Fishing Marathon
Oulu Ice-Fishing Marathon is in April.
Kuusrock
International Rock Festival is held in July.
Midnight Golf
Oulu Midnight Golf competition is in June.
Nordic Rally
International car race is in September.
Tar Ski Race
Oulu Tar Ski Race is in March.
Tar-Burning Week
Oulu Tar-Burning Week is in June.
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Map of Oulu Attractions
Map - Oulu
