Tampere, Finland

...oon tampereelt naas" ("I'm from Tampere, you see") Some famous people (don't know who but..) has said that "you go to Tampere to born and after that you conquer whole world" Well I want to see myself like that, I born in Tampere and now after many years I live in UK.First 9 year in my life I live in Hervanta, what was due that time new suburban area, with young families, now its full of criminals, even only police school ...
...we move east side of Tampere, I grow up in very safe and children friendly area, that what is still. I went my school in city central and spend later many nights partying in clubs and bars in Tampere. Tampere is well known as University City. Tampere got two universities, University of Tampere (UTA) and Tampere University of Technology (TUT) last on located in Hervanta. Each university has over 10,000 students. In Tampere you also got opportune to ... more

Awww.. Finally I will give my all to this. Really, this is my baby and I hope you will be gentle with it.
As some of you know I'm from Finland and from Tampere or Manse as we locals say. Funny I still see myself as local even I haven't live there for last… (God) nearly 10 years. As most of Finnish cities Tampere got its Swedish name as well, it Tammerfors.

But before I can start my review I have to say "Moro" (Tampere language and meaning "hi").

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Location:

City is situating between two lakes, Lake- Nasijarvi and Lake- Pyhajarvi in southern Finland. Tampere is the third largest city in Finland, and the largest city outside the Greater Helsinki area. Its part of Western Finland province, 173 km north from Helsinki and it have nearly 200 000 inhabitants in the city itself, and more than 300,000 including the neighbouring municipalities. What make it the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries. Tampere is part of Pirkanmaa region and is surrounded by the municipalities of Kangasala, Kuru, Lempaala, Nokia (yes, this is town where Nokia mobile name comes!!!), Orivesi, Pirkkala, Ruovesi and Ylojarvi.
Main Street Hämeenkatu runs from east to west. At the east end of the street is the railway station and at the west end the Alexander church many shops, restaurants and offices are located on the main street. The main street continues to east as Itsenäisyydenkatu and to west as Pirkankatu.
Tammerkoski rapids run from Lake Näsijärvi in north to Lake Pyhäjärvi in south, via Finlayson historical factory area, by riverside park, TAKO factory and Kehräsaari. It's just over 1 kilometre long. The height difference between the two lakes is 18 meters, but the rapids don't flow freely as there are dams and hydroelectric power stations built on the rapids.
Tampere central square is located right next to the bridge where Hämeenkatu crosses Tammerkoski rapids and the city centre continues to the shore of Lake Näsijärvi in north and Lake Pyhäjärvi in south.

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History:

Tampere has long and exciting history. Gustav III of Sweden founded this busy market place around Tammerkoski River and four years later it was granted a full township status. At this time Tampere was rather small town, consisting of only a few square kilometres of land around Tammerkoski rapids. Not like nowadays, city is over
687 square kilometres. During the latter half of 19th century Tampere had half of Finland's industrial labours like cotton factory. And because of the town's industrial nature in the 19th and 20th centuries gave it the nickname "Manchester of the North", Manse for short. That's the name we call it.
Tampere has been one of war zones in Finland and there for also played a major role, being one of the strategically important scenes during the Civil War in Finland (28.January- 15. May 1918). Tampere was a red stronghold during the war On April 6 White forces captured Tampere seizing about 10.000 Red prisoners.
Prevalent in Tampere's post- World War II municipal politics was the so called Brothers-in-Arms Axis, the alliance of conservatives and social democrats against communists and Agrarian party. During this era some of the most renowned city managers of Tampere were Erkki Lindfors (who was responsible for many ambitious construction projects such as the Nasinneula Tower (I'll tell about this later on my review) and the construction of the suburb of Hervanta Tampere's "daughter town". I was born in Hervanta. Today Hervanta is home of Technology centre Hermia and for many companies in these industries. After World War II Tampere was enlarged by joining some neighbouring areas. Messukyla was incorporated in 1947, Lielahti 3 years later, 1950, Aitolahti in 1966 and finally Teisko in 1972. Tampere was known for its textile (like Finlayson's cotton factory) and metal industry, but these have been largely replaced by telecommunications and information technology industry during 1990's.

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Travelling around Town and to get to town:

By Bus: Tampere got excellent bus service and brilliant Long-distance connection around Finland. Bus Station is located in the city centre. Buses goes quite often even during late night. From or to Helsinki bus takes only bit over 2hrs.

By Plane: Tampere got small but quite busy airport, Tampere-Pirkkala (TMP) which lies 17 km from the city. Terminals help passengers flying with Finnair, SAS, BA, etc. and Ryanair fly to Tampere (from Frankfurt, London-Stansted and Liverpool, Riga and latest from Dublin and later spring 2007 Ryanair will start new route from Tampere to Bremen)

By Train: The national train operator, VR operate Tampere train station, one of busiest train stations in Finland because of it's location in middle of Finland. It's on way to Helsinki-Rovaniemi trains and train are departing a cross Finland. Train to and from Helsinki takes only 1h 20 mins with Pendolino and one way ticket cost about 30 €.

By Car:
Once again, because Tampere locates in middle of Finland there are excellent roads and very easy connections. The drive from Helsinki takes about 2 h and there is a 2+2 lane motorway throughout the journey, just remember that speed limit 120 km/h with small portions 100 km/h in the summer, or 100 km/h throughout in the winter. There are also road connections from Tampere to Turku, Pori, Rauma, Seinäjoki/Vaasa, Jyväskylä and Lahti but these are mostly 1+1 lane regular roads with speed limits between 80 km/h and 100 km/h. Take extra care during late night and winter cause harsh winter conditions may make driving difficult occasionally in the winter, and there is a risk of collision with deer or elk, particularly just after dusk in the summer.

By local buses or taxis:

Travelling in city central it's easy, go by foot. Because city central is quite small and everything is near by but you can also travel with local city buses (one way ticket is only 2 € and it's valid for one hour, so you can travel much as you want within hour All city buses depart from city central (Keskustori). You'll recognize a city tariff zone bus from the "hailing driver" logo near the right corner of the front of the bus.

You can also purchase a Tampere Tourist Card for unlimited travel by bus within the Tampere city borders (6€ for the first day, additional days cost 4€ for adults.)Purchase the smartcard at the railway or bus station, central square kiosk or city transportation office. If you need to go bit further from city central or you are just lazy, call taxi. But remember as everywhere else in Finland taxis are rather expensive. 5-kilometre trip costs about 10€. To call taxi dialled number: 10041 (landline) or 01004131 from a mobile phone.

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Living in Tampere:

"Maa oon tampereelt naas" ("I'm from Tampere, you see") Some famous people (don't know who but..) has said that "you go to Tampere to born and after that you conquer whole world" Well I want to see myself like that, I born in Tampere and now after many years I live in UK.First 9 year in my life I live in Hervanta, what was due that time new suburban area, with young families, now its full of criminals, even only police school of Finland is locate in there (hmmm....just wondering…). After moving out from Hervanta we move east side of Tampere, I grow up in very safe and children friendly area, that what is still. I went my school in city central and spend later many nights partying in clubs and bars in Tampere. Tampere is well known as University City. Tampere got two universities, University of Tampere (UTA) and Tampere University of Technology (TUT) last on located in Hervanta. Each university has over 10,000 students. In Tampere you also got opportune to study music or become as police. There is lot of suburban areas around city central even peoples looking for houses bit further side of Tampere. Pirkkala (where Tampere airport is) is one of there up coming areas.
Tampere got many shopping places in city central and bigger super markets near by city. In city central there is 3 shopping mall's. Koskikeskus by Hotel Ilves and Tammerkoski-rapids, Tullintori (other side of Railway station) and new Ideapark near Tampere (Lempaala). But most of small and well known shops are by main street (Hameenkatu) both side of Hameensilta (Hamensilta- Bridge)

Our city's new major is Mr. Timo P. Nieminen. But if you want to spoke with him or other local you need to understand our local language. So if you want to make big effort learn some local language (but don't worry nearly every one speaks English. Other languages what locals spoke well (some better some less or not) are Swedish, Germany, France, Russian, etc... (This because in Finnish schools you have to study at least 2 languages within Finnish studies, those normally are Swedish and English but many study 3. or more…) To help make big effort with locals read next very careful.

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Language:

I'm so proud our local language; even I don't speak it very well. I have never spoken like some of old locals. I still use many of its word's everyday so knowing a few words of Tampere dialect (Tampereen kiäli) is guaranteed to get you a few laughs. It's more than easy just start like I start this review greet people with "Moro" (with a trilling 'r') some examples to give…learn
"Mää" =refer to yourself
"sää (pronunciation: /sæ:'/)" = in Finnish this mean weather but Tampere language it mean "you"
"Koskari"= Koskikeskus Mall
"pipa" =winter hat
"jalitsu" = football
"ruisku" = in Finnish this mean syringe but in Tampere language it mean shower.
Don't for get to end every sentence with "nääs" (pronounced /næs'/, like 'nash' in Nashville, except with a prolonged a (cf. "Naaaashville") and a normal 's' instaed of 'sh').

Now study this and try it on your visit in our city:
'Mää en kyä enää ikänä alam mitää.' ('Minä en enää jaksa yrittää'(/m'inæ en 'enæ: y'aksa ür'ittæ:/ in plain Finnish) is pronounced: /m'æ: 'en k'üæ 'enæ: ik'ænæ 'ala mitæ:/. That sentence means: 'I'm too tired of trying again'.
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Culture Signs:

There is more to see and do in Tampere than you probably got time.
Tampere got very active cultural life. Some of the most popular writers in Finland, such as Kalle Paatalo, Vaino Linna and Hannu Salama hail from Tampere.

Tampere is home to the television channel YLE TV2, with its studios at the Tohloppi district, known among all for such popular TV comedies as Kummeli (my old time favourite Finnish comedy) and Reinikainen (old police comedy) and Tankki tayteen.

Tampere also has old theatre traditions, with such established institutions as Tampereen Työväen Teatteri, Theatre of Tampere and Pyynikki Summer theatre which is an open-air theatre with the oldest revolving auditorium in Europe. Tampereen Teatterikesä or Tampere Theatre Festival is an international theatre festival held in Tampere every August. There is also the international short film festival, Tampere Film Festival held every March.

For friend of music I highly recommend Tammerfest which is Tampere's urban rock festival, and it's taking place in every July. And for die hard metal rock fans, visit Sauna Open Air festival, on start of summer (may-June) or for jazz music friends, Tampere Jazz Happening each November

Näsinneula is an observation tower in Tampere, overseeing Lake Nasijarvi. It height 168 metres make's it the highest observation tower in the Nordic countries. The tower opened in 1971, only 5 years before my birth and is located in the Sarkanniemi leisure centre. There is a revolving a'la carte restaurant in the tower 124 metres above the ground. One revolution takes three quarters of an hour. Citizens can look current weather from beacon lights at the top of tower:
Three yellow lights = clear weather
Two yellow lights = overcast or cloudy
One yellow light = occasional rain
Three green lights = rain

Nasinneula is located in Tampere's main tourist attraction is the Sarkanniemi amusement park which includes a dolphinarium and the Sara Hildén Art Museum. Other arts can be found in Tampere Art Museum and bit of history in Tampere Lenin Museum. There you can found how Lenin moved to Tampere in August 1905 and during a subsequent Bolshevik conference in the city he met Joseph Stalin (former Russian leader) for the first time. Lenin eventually fled Tampere (for Sweden) in November 1907.
One very interesting place to visit is Tampere City Library Metso ("wood grouse"), in same building you can found Moomin museum showcasing Tove Jansson's lovable troll family.
Other exciting museums are Spy museum, they claims to be the first spy museum in the world and The Vapriikki Museum Centre which includes the Shoe Museum and Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. And if you love old dolls and teddy's visit The Museum of Dolls and Costumes in Hatanpaa. This museum is located in same place as The Arboretum. Especially during the summer place is popular place for wedding venues and family picnics. Other great place for picnic is park next to Tampere Hall, there is small lake with swans and ducks and play area for little ones. Tampere Hall is opposite University of Tampere and its popular place for conferences and concert's.
And if you are interest to see how people live in old time visit The Amuri museum of Workers' Housing in Amuri wooden house area.
All early birds visit Tampere Market Hall in main street Hameenkatu. You can zip our morning coffee and enjoy some tasty cakes in its many cafeterias and planning what side fresh salmon you will buy, or maybe you fancy some herrings or maybe fresh fruits, nahh…or sushi for lunch. Ah, there is so many chooses and many flavours in air.
One of maybe weirdest building in Tampere is Kaleva Church (designed by Reima Pietila). My personal opinion is that this Church is ugliest building ever made. But the most beautiful church in world (I think) can been found in Tampere city central. It look like sleeping beauty castle, that how I see it in my mind, and it's very famous wedding church. This Tampere Cathedral, (original name St. John's Church) was built in 1902-1907. It's among the most significant National Romantic buildings in Finland. The interior is decorated with famous works by Hugo Simberg, such as The Garden of Death and The Wounded Angel and it has seating capacity over 2000.
Or maybe you fancy some amazing views. Walk then road down to Pispala, it's a ridge located between Lake Nasijarvi and Lake Pyhajarvi. It used to house the majority of industrial labour in late 19th and early 20th century, when it was part of Suur-Pirkkala and its follower Pohjois-Pirkkala. It was free area to be built for working class people working in Tampere factories. It was joined to Tampere in late 1920s. Currently it is a popular residential area and together with neighbouring Pyynikki it forms an important historical area of Tampere. And the best viewing place can be found in Pyynikki hill.
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Sp ort:

You really can't say Tampere with out named it's ice-hockey teams, actually city is home for two the most successful teams in Finland, Ilves and Tappara. They both have had great impact on the Finnish ice hockey culture and everyone can make own opinion which one is better even the stupidest can know the right answer, Ilves is better!!!! That's the reason why Tampere is known as the hometown on Finnish hockey. Finnish ice hockey museum is also located in Tampere. The first ice hockey arena in Finland was the Tampere Hakametsä hall. But there is lot of other teams as well like Ikurin Vire. Football is also raising its head in the city with Tampere United winning the 2001 and 2006 Finnish championships. Other local football team is TPV. We got big floor ball teams as well; our local teams are Gunners and Classic.
If you love fishing, try to catch some trout in city central (and I don't think "trout's" in bar, ouh no...) but fly fishing is very popular and you can do in with licent in middle of city central by Tammerkoski Falls. Image that!!

During the winter there is lot of winter sport opportunities in Tampere and it's around areas. You can ski, skating, ride on motor ski bikes, you name it. A popular pastime during sunny midwinter day is to go for an ice walk. In March people walk about an one-kilometre trip to a small island of Siilinkari on Lake Näsijärvi and have a picnic. But there is BIG warning!!!! Aware that it's only safe to walk on well-frozen lake. Only go if you see other people (and not just silly ice-fishers) doing so. And at summer enjoy hot summer days in beach with other beach "babes & boys" in Pyynikki Beach next to Hotel Rosendahl.

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Food:
I can't say anything about food without telling our local food. It's "mustamakkara" (black sausage) is a type of blood sausage. Originals and only ones for us you can found from Tapola (name of founder family) grill. Mustamakkara is known to have been eaten as early as in the 16th century and was generally cooked over a small fire, in a hot cauldron or in an oven. Or "rieva" bread. TRY!!!! Mustamakkara taste better than look. (you mite see lot of similar like big dogs boo…sorry!)

No matter what you fancy, sausage look like dog boo or not, I'm sure you will found it in city central. There is wonderful restaurants, lots of hamburger and pizza places and…now surprise Tampere got more kebab places (places divide by citizens) than any other country's in the WORLD. I don't know if that thing to be proud but that's the fact. I have listed some of my favourite places to dine and because there are so many wonderful places here just few to name.

Budget:
- McDonald's. (Total 7 in city)
- Hesburger (Finnish version for McDonalds)
- Piz Pala (famous grill in Pispala, try!!)
- Grill in Laukontori (Laukontori market place)

Mid-Range:
- Amarillo (locate in Hotel Ilves): Tex-mex style food and wonderful drinks. Try siesta platter, lot of finger food in big basket, only 18.90 € and flush it down with El Grande (Amarillo's LARGE ice-cold beer. Or try some tasty margaritas...<-- my favourites. Excellent place to start evening with friends.
- Coyote (locate near railway station by main street): Quite new and very popular grill and bar, especially due weekend very busy and you mite need to wait to get table. My favourites in Coyote are the burgers; they are huge and so tasty. Very unique restaurant within escalator's.
-Rosso (two in city central, my favourite is by Tammerkoski-falls); Pizzas and other food from grill.
-Bella Roma: The best Italian restaurant in city. (Locate in old Finlayson area "Siperia".)
- Hook: near by Tammerkoski falls. Restaurant for hot chicken wings lovers.

A'la carte and Special Restaurants:
- Salud, one of the most famous restaurants in Finland. Offering wonderful tapas and other Spanish style dishes. My favourite is house's pepper steak with wonderful salad bar and cheese bar. Finish your meal experience with flamed green-pepper strawberries with ice-cream. LOVE IT!!! Or if you are brave enough, try snake or Rocky Mountain Oysters (ram testicle), Bon apete! You can found Salud Bodega near Railway station.
Expensive but worth for every penny.
- Coussica, oldest restaurant in Tampere. Offer Russian style food. (Locate near Tampere Hall)
- El Toro (locate near by main street, Hameenkatu 24). One of the best pepper steaks (after Salud's) can be found in here.
- Harald: locate by the main street. Viking style restaurant with very unique atmosphere. Unfortunary dishes are quite small (unless you other Harald's huge plates). Still must to see and try place.
-Nasinneula: Enjoy a'la carte restaurant meals with amazing panorama in rotating Nasinneula-tower. (Restaurant Näsinneula received membership of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in February 2004. The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world's oldest gastronomic society, established in 1248.)

In city central there is also creek restaurant, Japanese restaurant where if you dare you can order own naked "table", and in city there is plenty of other ethnic restaurants and other smaller dining places to chose. Try new place to dine every day on your visit.

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Drinking:

If there is lots of dining places there is even more places to chill down and enjoy evening. One good tip to try many as possible is during spring join student happening "Hameenkatu Abro" where people try to drink one drink each bar by the main street. I have tried that so many times, but never ever manage cross the bridge. Maybe I need more practice. Just for name some by/or near by main street, you get idea where to stop for drink.
Start from Railway station there is Ale-bar pikajuna (fast train) where you can found cheapest beers in town and after one (remember you got long way to go) walk up the road…
Right side: New York, Coyote, Café Europa, Irish bar O'Connell's ,Soho, Konttori, (these last 4 bars are locate side road from main street), Wanha Posti (old post), Henry's, Paapankapakka (by the Tammerkoski rapids),
Ukko Nooa (next to Hotel Ilves), Fall's (in Kehrasaari), Now go cross the Hameensilta bridge and continue: Koti (home), Public Corner, Sputnik, Vanha-Monttu (locate in basement next to McDonalds, mite easy to found if you crawling already and there for you see lower...) Viking restaurant Harald,Teerenpeli (specialties are own ciders, and whisky's and if you are hungry try Teerenpeli's famous sandwiches, they are HUGE!!!), Las Palmas, Ale-pub-Hallankellari.

Now turn around, you got still another side to go...

Left side: Corner bar, Kustaa III (lovely place to play board games),
Pub Hovipoika (they say they are "English style bar" well quite far away if I can say)
Old Brick's Inn (good place have a one or enjoy all night dancing in dance floor)
Hoyry (in old Finlayson factory, "siperia"), Plevna (in "Siperia" as well, very famous for its own beers.
Korvatillikka (next to Theather café)
Well done, you can cross the bridge again
Rosso (pizza place offer many wonderful drinks as well)
Hemingway
London bar (English style bar & my favourite place to meet friends and have great evening, locate side street next to hotel Cumulus Koskipuisto)
Tempo (Havanna bar)
Grand Star Cafe
Tabu (new wine bar)

After this if you still got "head" and you fancy continue evening try some of there night clubs:
Onnela or Cabare (famous places for young people and if you are lucky you can spot some celebrities)
Night Club Ilves in hotel Ilves, Emma in Hameenkatu 26 and Be-pop (in old Finalayson factory) or Mixei (Oldest gay bar in Finland)

Main party days are Friday and Saturday, Wednesday is more like student night and its coming as third.

Remember that the legal drinking age in Finland is 18 for mild alcoholic drinks (up to 20%/40-proof) and 20 for stronger drinks than that.

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Sleeping:

If you are not lucky to have friends in city you mite need to book in some of its many hotels.
I recommend Omena (Apple) - Hotel in city central, Room only 50 € per night.
If you want pay more book your self in Hotel Cumulus (there is 3 different Cumulus hotels in city central) or from tallest hotel in Finland, Hotel Ilves (lynx) by Tammerkoski rapids. Room from hotel Ilves are around 100€/night. Bit further from city central is beautiful conference hotel Rosendalh. Is locating in Pyynikki by the beach and summer theatre. There are also many hostels and camping areas around city.

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Weather:
Sunny days and cold winter nights, that's what Tampere is like. Max temp is during the summer over +29°C and winter days can be cold as -26°C.

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Thank you for reading this and all I left to say is "so om moro" (goodbye in Tampere language)!
 

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