Metso Library Tampere

A capercaillie in the city

Johanna from Tampere

About me I am an outdoor person, who loves sports and nature. I have lived in the Tampere region since 2010. As I live in the sauna capital of Finland by the lake, I am passionate about swimming and sauna all year round. I also have many different hobby sports: bouldering, bicycling and skiing are those I am most active at. Forest hikes and mushroom picking are like...
""Metso Library" is shaped like a capercaillie. Here you can't only borrow books but also nice Finnish outdoor games like mölkky!"

Since 1986 there has been a capercaillie-shaped building in the heart of Tampere city. This very originally shaped building is the main library of the city, named Metso. From the street it is quite difficult to perceive the shape of the building but from the sky the shape is clear, it is like a metso, a capercaillie.

On the second floor of Metso there is a nice cafe which serves many sweet and savoury delicacies. Many of these are suitable for vegans.

Aside from the traditional books, from Metso library you can also borrow some outdoor games and even Nordic walking sticks! If it feels too awkward to walk with sticks but without skis in the middle of the city during summertime, I recommend borrowing mölkky, a game developed in Finland and played a lot in the yards of summer houses. You can go to Hämeenpuisto park just opposite Metso and have a unique experience with mölkky there. If you are familiar with petanque, mölkky is a distant cousin to it. If it is raining and chilly, the more I can guarantee a unique Finnish summer experience with mölkky!

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Tampere Spotter Johanna

About me I am an outdoor person, who loves sports and nature. I have lived in the Tampere region since 2010. As I live in the sauna capital of Finland by the lake, I am passionate about swimming and sauna all year round. I also have many different hobby sports: bouldering, bicycling and skiing are those I am most active at. Forest hikes and mushroom picking are like meditation for me. My more urban hobbies include regular eating in restaurants, exploring the city by walking and visiting all kinds of culture events. I am the person who always knows w...

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Nov 10, 2025

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