Sarkanniemi

Sarkanniemi is Tampere's amusement park on the shore of Lake Nasijarvi, crowned by the Nasinneula observation tower, the tallest in Finland, with a revolving restaurant near the top. Below the tower sit rollercoasters and rides, an aquarium and a planetarium, making it the city's big family day out.

History

From the 18th century the peninsula held three breweries, and in the 20th century a huge warehouse for the timber trade; these were cleared away in the 1960s. The attractions came one by one: the aquarium and planetarium in 1969, a children's zoo in 1970, the 168-metre Näsinneula tower in 1971, the Sara Hildén Art Museum in 1979 and a dolphinarium in 1985, given up in 2016. The amusement park itself began in 1973 as Neulan Huvipuisto, with only a handful of children's rides, and in 1975 the city of Tampere took it over and joined it to the rest of the peninsula (Wikipedia, Särkänniemi).

Background

The name means Cape of Sandbank. Attractions arrived one at a time: the aquarium and planetarium in 1969, a children's zoo in 1970, the 168m observation tower in 1971 and the Sara Hilden Art Museum in 1979. Rides began in 1973 as Neulan Huvipuisto, with only a handful for children, and the city of Tampere took over the running in 1975, joining the park to the other attractions on the peninsula. From the 18th century the site held three breweries, and later a large warehouse for the log industry, all demolished in the 1960s. The park now covers 50,000 sq m, with four roller coasters, including Hype at 100 km/h, and draws over 600 000 visitors a year.

Source: Wikipedia, "Särkänniemi"

The main sights

• Nasinneula tower - the tall observation tower with a revolving restaurant and lake view.
• The rides - rollercoasters and family rides across the park.
• The aquarium - fish and marine life indoors.
• The planetarium - shows under the dome, good for a rainy hour.

When to go

Summer for the full ride season; the tower, aquarium and planetarium run year-round, so it works on a cold or wet day too. Weekends and school holidays are busiest.

What to expect

The rides operate mainly in the warm season, so out of summer it is the tower and indoor attractions rather than the full park. It is a commercial family attraction rather than a cultural sight. The tower view and revolving restaurant are the standout for non-ride visitors.

Nearby

Central Tampere and the rapids are a short walk; Pyynikki ridge is nearby.

Key facts