Finlayson Centre

Tampere


Tampere’s industrial era began with Scot James Finlayson, who established a cotton mill by the Tammerkoski in the 1820s. Later it grew massively and was the first building in the Nordic countries to have electric lighting, which started operating in 1882. It has now been sensitively converted into a mall of cafes and shops; you’ll also find a cinema, brewery pub and a couple of intriguing museums here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tampere attractions

1. Werstas

0.03 MILES

This worthwhile labour museum has a variety of changing exhibitions covering social history and labour industries. The permanent exhibition consists of…

2. Vakoilumuseo

0.06 MILES

The offbeat spy museum under the Finlayson Centre offers a small but well-assembled display of devices of international espionage, mainly from the Cold…

3. Vapriikki

0.14 MILES

This bright, modern glass-and-steel exhibition space in the renovated Tampella textile mill hosts regularly changing exhibitions on anything from bicycles…

4. Finlaysonin Kirkko

0.15 MILES

The Finlaysonin Kirkko was built in 1879 as a place of worship for employees of the cotton mill and their families.

5. Tuomiokirkko

0.36 MILES

An iconic example of National Romantic art nouveau architecture, Tampere's cathedral dates from 1907. Hugo Simberg created the frescoes and stained glass;…

6. Aleksanterin Kirkko

0.44 MILES

The beautiful Aleksanterin Kirkko has red brick and green spires and was named in honour of Tsar Alexander II.

7. Lenin Museo

0.45 MILES

There are few displays dedicated to the revolutionary leader here; rather, displays focus on the shared modern history of Finland and Russia. The…

8. Amurin Työläismuseokortteli

0.54 MILES

An entire block of wooden houses – including 32 apartments in five residential buildings, a bakery, a shoemaker, a public sauna, two general shops and a…