In the late 19th century the textile industry was the most important life support of Tampere. More than a half of the city workers worked in the three biggest factories. The cotton factories of Finlayson and Lapinniemi and the Linen factory at Tampere. That is how it got to be called the Manchester of Finland.



Tampere is famous for its black sausage mustamakkara, a sausage made of blood. Just like the black pudding of the north of England have.

It is an university town with lots of young people which should be enough to assure you it is easy to find a place to party. There are quite a many clubs and discos in the centre, and especially at summer time the city has lots of opportunities.

Koskikeskus shopping centre is the biggest in Tampere.

Pyynikki Ridge is situated between the lakes Pyhajarvi and Nasijarvi offers a beautiful scene to both of the lakes. The observation tower naturally offers very nice scenes of Tampere. The tower of Pynnikki was built in 1929 offers spectacular views of the town. There is also a small restaurant, where you MUST try the doughnuts.

Aleksanterin Kirkko whos name comes from Tsar Alexander II, who celebrated the 25th anniversary of his reign when the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1880. During its history, the church has gone through two large restoration processes, the latter of which returned the original colours to the church hall in 1980. The altarpiece of this majestic room was painted in 1883 by Aleksandra Saltin.

Sarkanniemi is an adventure park in Tampere. The park features an aquarium, a planetarium, a children's zoo, an art museum, an observation tower Nasinneula, an amusement park and the world's most northern dolphinarium. Sarkanniemi is the most popular amusement park in Finland.

The Tampere Town Hall was designed by architect Georg Schreck and inaugurated in January 1890. The Town Hall is the centre of political events in the town. The city's inhabitants gather at the central square in front of the building for example on Finland's Independence Day 6th December and New Year's Eve to listen to the mayor speak. Finnish independence from Russia was declared from the Town Hall balcony during the great strike in 1905.