Museo Milavida

About the museum

Milavida was built by the industrialist Peter von Nottbeck of the Finlayson owning family. He bought the plot on Näsinkallio in 1893 and commissioned the house from architect Karl August Wrenel. The drawings were completed in 1897, and the palace's architecture combines the historicist styles of the late 19th century. The central space is a tall vestibule, around which the rooms are arranged: the first floor held the representative rooms, the second was for the family and guests, and the third for the servants.

Construction was delayed, and von Nottbeck died unexpectedly in Paris in spring 1899. His four children inherited the unfinished house, and the family gradually moved away from Tampere. The city bought the palace in 1905 and named it Näsilinna. The house became home to the Hämeen museo, Tampere's oldest museum, and the first exhibitions opened in 1908. During the battles of the civil war in 1918, more than 4,000 fragments or bullets hit the building, and the museum reopened in 1920.

The museum closed at the end of August 1998 to await a major renovation. Work began in autumn 2013, and the roof structures, façades, interiors and technical systems were renewed. The ground-floor function rooms were restored as closely as possible to the spirit of the 1890s. The palace opened to the public as Museo Milavida in June 2015.

Highlights

• Palace built by Peter von Nottbeck in the 1890s
• Nottbeckit – Tampereen kosmopoliitit (The Nottbecks – Tampere's Cosmopolitans) exhibition with objects and period costumes
• Restored function rooms on the first floor
• Café Milavida with park views
• Home of the city's oldest museum since 1908

Permanent exhibition

• Nottbeckit – Tampereen kosmopoliitit – The exhibition tells of the life of the wealthy and international Nottbeck family in Tampere, from the first purchase of a cotton-spinning mill in 1836 to the early 20th century. It features authentic objects, period costumes and life-size figures.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Tampereen kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Fridays 15:00–18:00 admission is free for everyone.

The ticket gives access to all the museum's exhibitions. A digital ticket can be bought in advance from the online shop; a purchased ticket cannot be exchanged or refunded. Museokortti is accepted. Free admission also for war veterans, teachers accompanying school and daycare groups, and their assistants, holders of the Junior annual pass, members of the Musti club and holders of the Kaikukortti. School groups from Tampere enter free all year round; school groups from Pirkanmaa enter free in January–April and in August–December. Otherwise the admission fee for a school group is €6 per pupil.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

There is no step at the entrance. The building has one small lift (door width 100 cm, lift car 140–148 cm × 115 cm), and the narrowest exhibition-room door is 76 cm wide. The accessible toilet has a folding changing table. There is one step-free parking space near the main door. A wheelchair, a stool and pushchairs can be borrowed from staff. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Groups are offered guided tours in easy-to-read language (selkokieli), and groups can book a wireless announcement system.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum organises events for children, and schools have their own sets of tasks for independent exploration. The family ticket is a good-value option, and under-7s enter free. Pushchairs can be borrowed.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Näsinkallio park area, which cannot be reached by car; the Milavidanrinne rises from Kuninkaankatu up to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Milavida serves during museum opening hours, and it holds a licence to serve alcohol. The café terraces open onto Näsinpuisto. Self-service coat storage is on both sides of the main door, and free lockable cabinets are near the cloakroom. Backpacks may not be taken into the exhibition rooms. Wearers of studded shoes are asked to change into indoor shoes, which can be borrowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit