Tampere (Swedish Tammerfors) was founded in 1779 as an industrial settlement and is now Finland's third largest town (the largest inland town in Scandinavia) and the country's leading industrial city. It lies between two lakes, Näsijärvi to the north and Pyhäjärvi to the south, which are linked by the Tammerkoski, a stretch of rapids 945m/1,000yd long with a fall of 18m/59ft.
After Finland came under Russian control in 1809 the development of the town was promoted by the Tsars: thus between 1821 and 1906 its exports to Russia were exempted from customs duties.
Tampere's main industries are now metalworking, textiles and footwear. In addition to its theaters, which have an international reputation, it offers a wide range of cultural and recreational facilities, including the modern Municipal Library, the Lenin Museum, numerous parks and lakes and the Särkänniemi amusement park. Within the city limits are almost 200 lakes, and several inland shipping lines are based in Tampere, including the motor vessels of the Silver Line and the appealing old steamers which ply on the "Poets' Way".
Tampere is noted for its active cultural life with the open-air theatre, numerous festivals and the popular sports teams.
Tampere's imposing Cathedral is reached from Hämeenkatu by way of the Koskipuisto (park) along the Tammerkoski to Satakunnankatu, then to the right along this street to Rautatienkatu. The Cathedral (by Lars Sonck, 1902-07) is a very typical example of Finnish Art Nouveau architecture, with wall and ceiling paintings by Hugo Simberg, an altar fresco of the Resurrection by Magnus Enckell and liturgical utensils by Eric O. V. Ehrström.
Along Tampere's Kauppakatu to the north lies Kauppi Park, with an extensive range of recreational facilities, including a marina, a riding school, an archery range, a greyhound racing track, a sports institute and an observatory.
The Lenin Museum in Tampere opened on January 20, 1946, to commemorate the anniversary of Lenin's death. It was the first one of its kind outside the Soviet Union.
There are facts about V.I. Lenin himself, and especially the role he played in the independence of Finland.
Address: The Lenin Museum, Hämeenpuisto 28, SF-33200 Tampere, Finland
Southwest of the Tampere city center, on the slopes of a hill (152m/499ft), lies the large Pyynikki Park, in which is an open-air theater with a revolving auditorium; in summer performances are given here by the Workers' Theater. To the west of the park is the old district of Piispala, a hilly part of the town with old wooden houses.
Northeast of Pyynikki and east-northeast of Piispala, on the shores of the Näsijärvi, we come to the Särkänniemi Amusement Park, in which is the Sara Hildén Museum of Art (1979; modern Finnish and international art). A conspicuous landmark in the park is the Näsinneula observation tower (173m/568ft), with a revolving restaurant at 120-125m/390-410ft. In addition to merry-go-rounds and other diversions there is an aquarium, a dolphinarium and a planetarium.
Address: Tampereen Särkänniemi Ltd., SF-33230 Tampere, Finland
Tips: Price includes admission to all open attractions for one day. Hours vary, call for details.
The Tampere Art Museum obtains mainly Finnish art from 19th century to the present day.
Address: Tampere Art Museum, Puutarhakatu 34 Box 87, SF-33211 Tampere, Finland
Hours:
10am-6pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Independence Day - Finland (December 6), Easter - Christian
Tips: Free guided tours on Sundays at 3 pm.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Workers' Music Festival features Finnish music, gypsy tunes, folk songs and Baltic and Latvian styles for this annual event, which takes place in late July.
Address: Valkeakoski Tourist Office, Kauppatori 9, SF-37600 Valkeakoski, Finland
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Valkeakoski - Festival of Workers' Music, Finland
Tampere
