BUG - Backpackers Guide to Europe

A museum pass, costing €11, allows entry to six museums in Kuopio including the Finnish Orthodox Church Museum, Kuopio Art Museum, Kuopio Museum, the Old Kuopio Museum and the VB Photographic Centre. The pass is valid for one year and is available from the participating museums and from the tourist information centre.

Finnish Orthodox Church Museum

Kuopio is home to the archbishop of the Finnish Orthodox Church and this museum demonstrates the rich cultural heritage of the church. The museum's collection incorporates gold, silver, textiles and one of the most impressive collections of icons in the western world.

Karjalanakatu 1, Kuopio

Tel (017) 287 2244

Website www.ort.fi/kirkkomuseo

Admission €5; students €3

Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri noon-3pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm; May-Aug Tue-Sun 10am-4pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri noon-3pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm

Kuopio Art Museum

The Kuopio Art Museum's collection contains around 5,000 work, mostly Finnish art from the 19th century.

Kauppakatu 35, Kuopio

Tel (017) 182 633

Admission €3

Open Tue 10am-5pm, Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Kuopio Museum

Kuopio's Museum is in fact two separate museums under one roof: the Museum of Cultural History and the Museum of Natural History. Exhibits reflect the region's history from prehistoric times to more recent times.

Kauppakatu 23, Kuopio

Tel (017) 182 603

Admission €4

Open Mon-Tue 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Thu-Fri 9am-4pm, Sun 11am-6pm

The Old Kuopio Museum

This museum features a block of restored wooden buildings showcasing shops and homes typical of those from the 19th century through to the 1930s.

Kirkkokatu 22, Kuopio

Tel (017) 182 625

Admission €2.50

Open 15 May-15 Sep Mon-Tue 10am-5pm, Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm; 16 Sep-14 May Tue-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Puijo Tower

The Puijo Tower offers fantastic views of Kuopio and the surrounding lakes and forest.

Puijo, Kuopio

Bus 18

Tel (017) 255 5100

Admission €3

Open May Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm; Jun-Aug 9am-10pm daily; Sep Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm

VB Photographic Centre

Based around the collection of Kuopio-based photographer Victor Barsokevitsch, this gallery hosts exhibitions of Finnish and international photography.

Kuninkaankatu 14-16, Kuopio

Tel (017) 261 5599

Admission €5

Website www.vb.kuopio.fi

Open Jan-May Tue 11am-5pm, Wed 11am-7pm, Thu-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; Sep-Dec Tue 11am-5pm, Wed 11am-7pm, Thu-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

Savonlinna

Surrounded by lakes, Savonlinna boasts a beautiful setting upon a chain of three islands. The town's major attraction is the spectacular Olavinlinna Castle. The town also boasts lake-side beaches and it makes a good base for excursions to nearby towns where you can see the world's largest wooden church and an arts centre built in underground caverns.

Practical Information

Savonlinna Tourist Information Centre

Puistokatu 1, Savonlinna

Tel (015) 517 5123

Website www.savonlinnatravel.com

Open Jan-May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Jun 9am-5pm daily; Jul 8am-8pm daily; Aug 9am-5pm daily; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Coming and Going

Savonlinna is located about five hours from Helsinki. There are frequent buses and trains from the capital and other Finnish cities including Kuopio and Tampere. Savonlinna has several stations, the most central being Savonlinna-Kauppatori.

Accommodation

Malakias

Pihlajavedenkuja 6, 57170 Savonlinna

Tel (015) 533 283

SKO Hostel

Opistokatu 1, 57600 Savonlinna

Tel (015) 572 910

Vuorilinna

Kylplaitoksentie, 57130 Savonlinna

Tel (015) 739 5495

WillaNuttu

Juvolantie 1353, 57130 Savonlinna

Tel (044) 571 5890

Sights

Olavinlinna Castle

The best preserved fortress in Scandinavia was built in 1475 to reinforce the border with Russia. During summer, the castle is the venue for numerous festivals.

Olavinlinna, 57150 Savonlinna

Tel (015) 531 164

Website www.olavinlinna.net

Admission €5.05, students €3.40

Open Jun to mid-Aug 10am-5pm, mid-Aug to May 10am-3pm

Savonlinna Provincial Museum

Savonlinna's Provincial Museum is situated near the castle and features several restored boats as well as exhibits on the history of the region.

Riihisaari, 57130 Savonlinna

Tel (015) 571 4712

Website www.savonlinna.fi/museo

Admission €4

Open 1 Jan-30 Jun Tue-Sun 11am-5pm; 1 Jul-7 Aug 11am-5pm daily; 8 Aug-31 Dec Tue-Sun 11am-5pm

Kerimäki Church

The world's largest wooden church seats 3000 and is located in Kerimäki. Kerimäki is located 35 minutes by bus from Savonlinna.

Kerimäki

Admission free; bus €4.20-5

Open 1-11 Jun 10am-5pm; 12 Jun-15 Aug 10am-6pm; 16-31 Aug 10am-4pm

Retretti Arts Centre

This unique art gallery is housed in a series of underground caverns. The arts centre is located in Lunkaharju, which is 30 minutes by train from Savonlinna.

Punkaharju

Tel (015) 775 2200

Website www.retretti.fi

Admission €15, students €9

Open Jun 10am-5pm daily; Jul 10am-6pm daily; Aug 10am-5pm daily

Tampere

This important regional centre is bypassed by most travellers. However, Tampere is host to a lively cultural scene and is also home to several interesting museums.

Practical Information

Tampere Tourist Information Centre

Verkatehtaankatu 2, Tampere

Tel (03) 31466800

Website www.tampere.fi

Open Jan-May Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; Sep Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Coming and Going

There are frequent buses and trains to Helsinki and most other destinations in Finland. Tampere's airport has Ryanair flights to London Stansted, Frankfurt Hahn and Riga.

Accommodation

Hostel Tampere YWCA

Tuomiokirkonkatu 12 A, Tampere 33100

Tel (03) 254 4020

Hostel Uimahallin Maja

Pirkankatu 10-12, 33230 Tampere

Bus 1, 2, 13, 16, 22, 25, 26, 28

Tel (03) 222 9460

Sights

Tampere is noted for its unusual museums specialising in things such as handcuffs, coffee cups, refrigerators and spy gadgets.

Chain and Handcuffs Exhibition

This museum claims to have the most extensive collection of chains and handcuffs in Europe (are there any other chain and handcuff museums?). Escape artist Timo Tuomivaara's collection features objects from the 16th century to the present day.

Hatanpään puistokuja 32, Tampere (in the same building as the Spy Museum)

Bus 1, 7, 21

Tel (03) 212 3007

Admission Adults €7, students €5 (the admission fee includes entrance to the Spy Museum)

Open Mon-Fri noon-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Coffee Cup Museum

This museum features over 1,300 coffee cups manufactured by the Arabia factory in 1895-1995. Other exhibits include old bicycles and related items.

Pispalan valtatie 2, Tampere

Tel (03) 223 9864

Website www.wanhatarabia-astiat.fi

Admission €2

Open Tue-Fri 11am-3.30pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame

Europe's biggest ice hockey museum has exhibits that include team clothing and equipment, trophies as well as other memorabilia.

Veturiaukio 4, Tampere (in the premises of Museum Centre Vapriikki)

Tel (03) 3146 6966

Website www.tampere.fi/jaakiekkomuseo/english.htm

Admission €5

Open Tue 10am-6pm, Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Sun 10am-6pm

Finnish Refrigeration Museum

A must-see attraction for fridge fans. This museum has displays on the history of refrigeration including an extensive collection of refrigeration equipment.

Härkilevontie 77, Antaverkka, Ylöjärvi

Tel (03) 3140 8110

Website www.kylmamuseo.org

Admission €5

Open first Sun of Jun, Jul, Aug & Sep noon-4pm

Moominvalley

This museum is dedicated to the children's books by Tove Jansson and features original illustrations, three-dimensional scenes and multimedia shows.

Hämeenpuisto 20, Tampere (Tampere City Library, separate entrance)

Tel (03) 3146 6578

Website www.tampere.fi/muumi

Admission €4, students €1

Open Jan-May Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm; Jun-Aug Mon 9am-5pm, Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm; Sep-Dec Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Museum Centre Vapriikki

This museum has exhibits on the history of the Tampere Region plus many special exhibits that change from time-to-time.

Veturiaukio 4, Tampere (old Tampella factory area)

Tel (03) 3146 6966

Website www.tampere.fi/english/vapriikki/

Admission €5-8

Open Tue 10am-6pm, Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Sun 10am-6pm

Museum of Dolls and Costumes Hatanpää Mansion

This museum has a vast collection of dolls. Some of the collection of 5,000 dolls date back as far the the 12th century. There are also a number of changing exhibits themed around dolls and costumes.

Hatanpään puistokuja 1, Tampere

Bus 21

Tel (03) 222 6261

Website www.tampere.fi/nukkemuseo

Admission €5, students €3

Open 17 Apr-2 Oct Tue-Sun 11am-5pm

Sara Hildén Art Museum

The Sara Hildén Art Museum features changing exhibitions of modern art.

Särkänniemi, Tampere

Bus 16, also bus 4 in summer

Tel (03) 214 3134

Website www.tampere.fi/hilden

Admission €4, higher entrance fees during special exhibitions

Open 11am-6pm daily

Spy Museum

This museum has exhibits on spy gadgets including bugging devices, spy cameras, weapons, etc.

Hatanpään puistokuja 32, Tampere

Bus 1, 7, 21

Tel (03) 212 3007

Website www.vakoilumuseo.fi

Admission €7, students €5

Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri noon-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; May-Aug Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-SUn 10am-4pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri noon-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Tampere Art Museum

Changing exhibitions of Finnish and international visual arts.

Puutarhakatu 34, Tampere

Tel (03) 3146 6577

Website www.tampere.fi/tamu

Admission €4, students €1

Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm