You can find an fascinating area in Hiedanranta, Tampere. There is a manor house, which is over 300 years old, on the lake shore with beautiful garden. Right next to it there is an old industrial area filled with enchanting murals.

Do roam around the area, you’ll find more and more murals behind every corner. Parts of the area is restricted, clearly the buildings are starting to erode, so it’s best just to have a peek through the fences.

Even Finland’s longest serving President, Urho Kekkonen, has gotten his picture on one of the murals, wearing Darth Vader costume (hmmm, slightly questionable combination…).

There is a coffee shop, vegetarian ice cream stall, craftsmen’s community shops and at normal times, number of art and music events. We visited the area late in the evening, so it was just us and a couple of skateboarders (yes, there is a skating area as well!).

Don’t be scared of what you can come across there, for example this rat! (I almost got scared, but it had more to do with my sister making a practical joke and screaming to me “there’s a rat behind you!” LOL! She got me with that one!)

Well worth a visit, if you are interested in murals.