Plevna

Plevna is a red brick building featuring large ceiling windows that illuminate the vast interior of the former weaving hall with natural light. The structure retains its open industrial layout, reflecting its original function as a textile manufacturing space.

Built between 1876 and 1877, the structure was the largest weaving hall in the Nordic countries, equipped with 1200 power looms. Its construction represented a turning point in the industrial development of Tampere and the surrounding region.

The building takes its name from the Bulgarian city of Pleven and commemorates the 1877 siege during the Russo-Turkish War in which Finnish soldiers participated. This naming choice reflects the international connections Tampere maintained during that era.

The building now houses a cinema with multiple auditoriums and two brewery restaurants occupying different sections of the space. Visitors should be aware that different areas may have varying opening hours depending on the type of venue.

On March 15, 1882, Plevna became the first building in the Nordic countries and Russian Empire to use Thomas Edison electric lighting. This early adoption of electricity made it a pioneer in technological modernization.

Location: Tampere

Inception: 1877

Part of: Tampella factory area

Address: Itäinenkatu 2-8

GPS coordinates: 61.50111,23.75833

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55