Restaurant Viikinsaari Lunch 2010
(on Tuesdays-Saturdays)

THE HISTORY OF VIIKINSAARI ISLAND

The oldest written information on the island shows that, in 1569, one Sipi Eerikinpoika stole hay from the island, which was owned by Eerik Simonpoika, master of the Viikki Manor. At that time, island was known as Jomasaari, "the island of God".

At the beginning of the 19th century Viikinsaari island was owned by Pirkkala Nuoliala village’s Nikkilä farm and it was called Kaidesaari island. The story tells that the widowed matron known as too fond of the bottle sold the island to the owner of Viikki manor for the price of a jug of liquor. As she was finishing the “sale” she said “There goes Kaidesaari island”. Since the island became a part of Viikki manor it was named Viikinsaari island.

In 1881, a confectioner named Tallqvist bought the island from the Viikki Manor. He had run a summer restaurant on the island since 1866, and, at that time, the island was the most popular recreational destination for the local gentry. The present restaurant, designed by architect Lambert Petterson, was built in 1900 after the 1st and 2nd restaurant buildings had been destroyed in fires. On of the oldest restaurants in Tampere, 230 seated, good quality summer restaurant Viikinsaari is suitable for even bigger occasions.

The western part of Viikinsaari Island is protected nature reserve. On Viikinsaari Island it is still possible to find remnants of ancient primeval forests that no longer exist except in very few places, as well as ancient leaf-trees and lush herb-rich vegetation. The nature path with its 13 info points around the island provides visitors with further information regarding the vegetation and birds to be found on the island. Around the island one can find beaches, playgrounds, gaming fields, dance pavilion and public campfire sites amongst many other fascinating objects of interest. There's also a sauna you can reserve beforehand.