Day 2. The Moomin Museum & enjoying Tampere’s nature

On By Little Miss TravellerIn A Winter Break in Tampere, Finland, Finland, Northern Europe

I wish all mornings could start like this, waking in my luxurious suite at the Lapland Hotels Tampere and then enjoying a delicious breakfast in the hotel’s Dabbal restaurant. The dining area oozes Nordic charm having Lapland styled furnishings such as reindeer rugs and antler horns.

Lapland Hotels Tampere
Breakfast in the hotel

The buffet breakfast included several Lapland delicacies such as traditional Lapland cheese bread (Leipä juusto), which is a mild cheese made from reindeer or goats milk and is delicious eaten with cloudberry jam. I also sampled reindeer blood sausage which has a similar flavour to venison, and the local dark rye bread which, despite being dense and flat, was very tasty.

Lapland Hotels Tampere
The Lapland themed restaurant

After finishing my breakfast, I met Olga with whom I’d enjoyed a meal the previous evening, and together we set out to explore the winter wonderland of Tampere. Nature is on the city’s doorstep making it an ideal place to live and work and it was only a 20 minute walk to reach the snow capped forest.

Pyynikinharju Ridge, Tampere
Climbing the steps up to the ridge

After walking off my big breakfast by climbing up several long flights of wooden steps, we reached Pyynikinharju which is the world’s highest gravel ridge. Standing proud on top of the ridge is the 26 metre red granite Pynikki observation tower. The building was completed in 1929 and after taking the lift to the observation deck we were rewarded with some splendid winter views over the city of Tampere and across the frozen Pyhäjärvi and  Näsijarvi lakes.

Pynikki Observation Tower, Tampere
View from the top of the Pynikki Observation Tower

At the foot of the tower I discovered a lovely little cafe famous for its doughnuts, their historic recipe having remained unchanged for 80 years and people come from far and wide to enjoy these sweet treats.

Cross country skiing in Tampere
Cross-country skiing through the pine forest

We continued our morning stroll through the pine forest where cross country skiers and Nordic walkers were enjoying the perfect conditions for some morning exercise. Cross- country skiing on level terrain looks so easy but I once tried it in Lapland and discovered it was more difficult than it looked. Perhaps one day I can have a few lessons and perfect the technique as it is totally different to downhill skiing.

Tampere in winter
Stunning views over the frozen lake

After stopping several times to take in the stunning views, we climbed yet more wooden steps to reach the district of Pispala, an historic part of the city. Back in 1937 its narrow streets of wooden homes were inhabited by railway and factory workers.

Tampere in winter
Sitting on a snowy bench enjoying the views

Times have changed and nowadays Pispala is a popular residential area, home to artists, writers and musicians. The houses have been lovingly restored and offer magnificent views over the two large lakes below. There’s also several cafes, restaurants and grocery stores, giving the district a distinctive village feel.

Pispala, Tampere in winter
Attractive homes in Pispala

Continuing, we returned to the centre of Tampere to take a look inside the old market hall on Hämeenkatu. This market, designed in the art nouveau style has served customers since 1901 with its traditional wooden stalls selling fresh local produce.

Tampere Market Hall
Tampere Market Hall

I sampled a Karelian pie which melted in my mouth, it’s pastry made from rye flour and filled with buttery potatoes. Next, I marvelled at the fresh fish counters and then decided to try some locally caught salmon for lunch. Located in one corner of the market we found a cosy little cafe where we rested our legs whilst enjoying a tasty lunch of salmon in a blue cheese sauce.

The Spy Museum, Tampere
The Spy Museum, Tampere

Feeling rested, it was time to see more, so I headed to the historical Finlayson cotton mill complex to seek out the Spy Museum.  Tampere is home to the world’s first public museum of international espionage and in keeping with spying, it’s hidden away in one corner of the basement. The museum is quite small but includes exhibitions on eavesdropping, lie detectors, dead drops, spy cameras and much more.

Finnish Labour Museum, Tampere
Exhibits in the Finnish Labour Museum, Tampere

Managing to find my way out, I took a look in the nearby Finnish Labour Museum which also incorporates the Steam Engine Museum and the Museum of Liberty in the same building, all offering free admission. This collection of small museums had much to interest me, I stepped into a 1910 style co-operative store, a workers’ savings bank and viewed the largest steam engine ever used in Finland. The giant Sulzer machine, purchased in 1900, functioned as a power source for the Finlayson mill and still stands today in its original location.

Tampere Hall the home of the Moomin Museum, Tampere
Tampere Hall the home of the Moomin Museum

After such an interesting but busy day, I returned to my hotel room for a little rest as more exciting things had been planned for later. Feeling refreshed with a cup of tea, I walked the short distance to Tampere Hall in Sorsapuisto Park, home of the Moomin Museum. A tour had been arranged for me, and Viliina my guide, transported me into the enchanting world of a family of hippo like creatures. The Moomins are insightful and inquisitive with their strength coming from being part of a loving family.

Moomin Museum, Tampere
Getting to meet the Moomins

The exhibits are structured to tell the story of the Moomins in the same order as the 12 Moomin books. The first gallery starts with the great flood, continuing to the puzzle of the lighthouse and finishing with the mysterious disappearance of the Moomins one grey November day.

Moomin Museum, Tampere
The Moomin stones exhibit, Moomin Museum

The galleries are beautifully designed, taking visitors into the magical existence of Tove Jansson’s Moomin books. The Finnish author was born in Helsinki in 1914 and from an early age displayed a strong interest in writing and drawing. During the outbreak of war in 1939 she sought solace by creating a fairytale world in a happy, green valley where the Moomins lived a peaceful, carefree existence.

Moomin Museum, Tampere
Enjoying the Moomin experience

Following my enthralling tour around the Moomin Museum, my Moomin experience was not yet over as dinner had been arranged in the Tuhto restaurant, also based in Tampere Hall. The Finnish name of Tuhto is thwart, translated into English it’s the crossbar that serves as a seat in a rowing boat as used by the Moomins.

Tuhto Restaurant, Tampere
Tuhto Restaurant

The boating theme is evident in the restaurant and together with stylish Nordic furnishings, it creates a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Whilst enjoying pre-dinner drinks, we studied the menu and naturally selected the Moomin menu.

Moomin menu at Tuhtu restaurant, Tampere
The Moomin menu at Tuhtu restaurant

Our starter was a creamy salmon soup with dark rye bread, served in a Moomin enamel jug, poured at the table. This tasted delicious and for our main courses I chose the pork fillet whilst my companion opted for the wild mushroom pie, both of which were beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. For dessert, we were served pancakes with strawberry compote and whipped cream, leaving me in food heaven! The end of another amazing day in beautiful Tampere!

Tuhto Restaurant, Tampere
Tuhto Restaurant

 

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71 thoughts on “Day 2. The Moomin Museum & enjoying Tampere’s nature”

  6. I’ve never skied (no coordination, whatsoever 🙂 ) but I thought cross country might be ok, if I found myself in the right circumstances. Not so sure, now! 🙂 In any case, I’m not a huge snow fan and would prefer to see those lakes in Summer. The Moomins are great though, whatever time of year.

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    1. We have always enjoyed downhill skiing and one day I’ll hopefully get the hang of cross-country but the technique and type of ski is totally different. I agree that the Moomins are delightful whatever the weather. Thanks for your comment Jo and have a good weekend.

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  8. Pingback: Day 2. Exploring Tampere and meeting the Moomins – Love Travelling – Travel Inspire Connect

    1. Thanks Piia for your ever welcome thoughts on my posts. I enjoyed every minute of my time in Tampere and managed to see and do so many lovely things including eating those delicious doughnuts and the mouthwatering Karelian pies!

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  19. Pingback: Always remember to say I love you. – Our Little Red House

  28. Thank You for praising Tampere and taking us with You for a walk. Tampere is worth for a visit and it is feast reachable from Helsinki.

    There are two kinds of Karelian pies. 1. Made of rice. 2. Made of potatoes. Our favorite is made of potatoes, they are not sold everywhere. Sigh. I think that You seen my Pispala and Pyynikki posts.

    Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Hi Matti, Thank you for your interesting thoughts. I always enjoy a visit to Tampere, it’s so beautiful. I think I have tasted both types of Karelian pies and I also prefer the ones made with potatoes. Very snowy here in northern England this morning!

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  30. Loved reading this interesting post, Marion! How fun it must’ve been to explore Tampere with your own private guide! I also learned so much, never having seen any of these things in Tampere. That Pispala area looks nice, with great views too.
    When we originally moved to Finland, I was too old for Moomins so I kind of missed that phase and have never read/watched them, but apparently everyone else here has loved them as a child. Never heard the word “tuhto” either, is it a word Tove Jansson made up, or just old Finnish, I wonder. I’ve also never tasted blood sausage (and don’t want to) so this post really does feel like a splash of exoticism to me!! 🙂

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    1. How interesting that Tuhto might either be old Finnish or invented by Jansson herself. The translation was on the menus and website, so I had no idea that it might not be used today. I also missed out on the Moomins as a child but was enchanted with them at a later date. I actually passed on the blood sausage too, but there were plenty of other nice breakfast dishes to tempt me! M.

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