Tampere
From Wikitravel
Tampere (Swedish: Tammerfors) is a town of around 200,000 inhabitants situated on the shore of lake Näsijärvi, some 170 km north of Helsinki, Finland.
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Understand
The city of Tampere lies on an isthmus situated between Lake Näsijärvi, which reaches far to the north, and Lake Pyhäjärvi in the south. The Tammerkoski rapids that run through Tampere connect the two lakes with a fall of 18 metres. In the 7th century population started to gather to this connecting point of two waterways, and in the 18th century people started to understand the importance of the rapids as a way of making hydropower. So it came to be that Tampere was officially founded in the 1st of October in 1779 by Gustav III of Sweden.
During the 19th century Tampere grew rapidly to be an industrial center, and in the latter part of the century the town had almost half of Finland's industrial labour. Most of the industry was centered around the rapids. In 1927 first of the factories stopped industrial operations, and city offices later moved to the empty buildings. After 1960 most of the factories started to cease operations, but the buildings were kept. Nowadays central Tampere is characterized by these old red-brick industrial buildings, most of them housing offices, restaurants, and cultural activities.
During the Finnish Civil War (1918) Tampere was one of the Red strongholds, and it was supposed to be the country's next capital. However, In April 1918 the White forces captured the town and seized 10,000 prisoners.
Tampere has two universities, the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology, each of which has some 10,000 students.
Get in
By plane
Tampere is serviced by Pirkkala airport (TMP), which lies 17 km from the city. Flying from Helsinki doesn't make much sense in terms of time or money (unless you're connecting), but Ryanair's services to Riga, London (Stansted) and Frankfurt (Hahn) are popular. Bus services to Tampere are regular and take about 40 minutes, taxis take about 20 minutes.
By train
Tampere has extensive train links, including lines to Helsinki and Turku. The trip to Helsinki by Pendolino express takes around 1.5h and costs 28.40€, while a local clunker will take over two hours for the same trip and charge 19€.
Get around
The core of Tampere is small enough to cover on foot, but an extensive bus network radiates out to the suburbs. Tampere does not have a metro (subway) train network.
See
- The Lenin Museum (Hämeenpuisto 28, [1] (http://www.tampere.fi/culture/lenin/lenina1.htm)) is Tampere's most offbeat attraction and well worth a visit if you have any interest, serious or humorous, in the Soviet revolutionary figure who spent some time in exile in Tampere. Lenin and Stalin met for the first time in this very apartment. Exhibits include a sofa that Lenin slept on and more busts that you can shake a stick at. There is also a wacky but fairly expensive gift shop. Admission 4 €, open 9 AM to 6 PM weekdays, 11 AM to 4 PM weekends.
- Tampere Art Museum (Hämeenpuisto 20, [2] (http://www.tampere.fi/tamu/english/index.htm)) is best known for its permanent Moominvalley exhibition ([3] (http://www.tampere.fi/muumi/english/index.htm)), showcasing Tove Jansson's lovable troll family. Admission 4 €, open 9 AM to 5 PM daily (except Mondays outside the summer season).
- Särkänniemi amusement park ([4] (http://www.sarkanniemi.fi/english/index.php)), which includes a dolphinarium (closed until spring 2006 for refurbishment) and the landmark Näsinneula tower, topped by the inevitable revolving restaurant. On a summer day the views of the surrounding forests and lakes are quite nice though.
- Pispala, a hill between lake Näsijärvi and lake Pyhäjärvi, which housed the majority of industrial labour in late 19th and early 20th century. Along with neighouring Pyynikki it forms an important historical area of Tampere.
- Kaleva Church (Kalevan kirkko). Designed by famous architect Reima Pietilä in 1966.
Do
- Tampere has two ice hockey teams, Tappara and Ilves, which are among the most successful in Finland. Tampere United football club won the 2001 Finnish championship.
- Cruises to Hämeenlinna (a leisurely 8 hours), Nokia (yes, that Nokia) or just on the lake are popular in the summer.
- Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra [5] (http://www.tampere.fi/or/)
Eat
Tampere is (in)famous for its blood sausage (mustamakkara). The most authentic (and cheapest) way to try this is to buy from one of the stalls at the Tammelan tori market, with a dab of lingonberry jam and a pint of milk on the side.
- Plevna (Itäinenkatu 8, [6] (http://www.plevna.fi/index_e.html)) is a brewery pub and restaurant in a renovated old red-brick textile mill, serving solid German-style fare and a wide range of its own microbrews. Mains 10-20€ and a large beer to wash it down 5€.
Sleep
Mid-range
- Omena Hotel Tampere. Hämeenkatu 28, [7] (http://www.omena.com/hotelpresentation?hid=584037). The local branch of a budget hotel chain, centrally located on the main street. Rooms from €55, including free bus ride from Tampere airport if flying Ryanair.
Splurge
- Sokos Hotel Ilves. Hatanpään valtatie 1, tel. 020 1234 631. Tampere's best known hotel, well-known and centrally located.
Stay safe
In general, Finland is a fairly safe country, and Tampere is no exception. There are no exceptional crime problems or health hazards, although the extreme cold in the winter should be borne in mind by visitors, especially those planning outdoor activities. Whilst in summer the temperature rises to over 25ºC, in the winter months it can drop to around -30ºC for a day or two.
Get out
- In the unlikely event that the stress of city life gets to you in Tampere, escape for a day of pampering at the spa in Nokia. And there aren't even any mobile phone companies left to disturb you.
External links
- City of Tampere (http://www.tampere.fi/english_v/)