Keskustori

 

Keskustori

Our first neighborhood of note is Keskustori.  It’s about a five minute tram ride from our apartment, and maybe fifteen minutes walking.  “Keskus” means “center” and “tori” is a market square.  So the central market square of Tampere.  You can still see the outlines of a square today, though there’s no market now – instead it’s a bus station.  There's also some official governmental buildings -- town hall chief among them.



The street is lined with restaurants (including the first Hesburger we ever ate at), bars, and shops – including Marimekko, one of Finland’s most famous and fashionable brands.

One of the most scenic stops at Keskustori is the Kauppahalli – “Kauppa” meaning “shop.”  You can figure out what “halli” means.  But it was one of Finland’s first entirely indoor shopping centers.  The booths are populated by restaurants and chocolatiers and butchers.  We hope to eat a lunch here before we leave.  Until now we have contented ourselves with pastries and chocolates.

Keskustori is also where we do most of our grocery shopping.  They have a Prisma that we frequent, as well as an Alko.  There’s also a K Market within walking distance.  Look for more about fabulous Finnish grocery shopping on a future post.

Across the square there is city hall and a theater.  And also a wonderful children’s museum called “Rulla.”  It really is something.  There is a room for free play with dress up clothes, a theater where children can stage plays, and two rotating exhibits.  In August it was a room covered wall to wall with paper than anyone can draw or paint on.  There were also strips of paper for children to decorate that were set aside and later woven into a unicorn tail.  It was really amazing.  And also completely free.









A bit south of Keskustori there is an actual open air market (Laukontori), and the start of a lovely walk along the lake.  


There’s also a park the kids are quite taken with which they call “Pirate Coffee Park.”  It’s a long story.  Actually it’s not, I am just tired of telling it.  But they make coffee.  For pirates.  It’s much much more complicated than that, but that’s really all you need to know.  Heck that’s all anyone needs to know.  Anyway, they really love it.



Other people like it too...

A bit north of Keskustori…is the next neighborhood we will be exploring! 

Hei Hei

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