Shoe Museum
Tampere, the town where I currently live, is well known for its shoemaking traditions and industry. For example, the desired vintage shoe brands such as Emil Aaltonen and Pertti Palmroth both had their shoe factories in Tampere.
My granny used to work in Aaltonen shoe factory (pictured above) and she always had very nice shoes, so maybe that’s where I picked my almost compulsive love affair with shoes. No need to mention, I was so excited when my Mr decided to take me to the Museum Centre Vapriikki where they have a Shoe Museum among other exciting exhibitions. Now I’m no believer of heaven (or hell for that matter), but if there really is such a place heaven is often described, yesterday I was there.
As they say in the Shoe Museum website, the museum tells the story of Finnish shoes from the very first birch-bark shoes to the hottest creations of fashion. The Shoe Museum is the place to explore the hundred years of eventful history of the Tampere shoemaking industry. And what’s the best, they have more than one thousand shoes on display.
If you ever have a chance to visit Tampere, make sure you add Shoe Museum to your must-see list. And for all you folks currently living in Tampere: If you haven’t yet visited the Shoe Museum, you should definitely do it at some point. But be careful, the shoes on display may cause uncontrollable need to hoard more shoes. Consider yourself warned.
Images via here and here
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Sanna 10. April 2008 | Shoes | Bookmark on: del.icio.us
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I would just love to visit a shoe museum! My sister gave me a book on the history of shoes for Christmas, and I love looking at all the pretty photos – though I am glad that I wasn’t living hundreds of years ago, I can’t imagine how women wore some of those things.
I’ve been there, and loved it! Obviously – the concept is fool proof – a shoe museum, it just has to work :)
I have to correct one thing: “...the desired vintage shoe brands such as Emil Aaltonen and Pertti Palmroth both had their shoe factories in Tampere”. Palmroth still has it’s factory (though it’s situated in Pirkkala, near Tampere) and seems to be going strong (i don’t know, but they have about three stores in Tampere only?), so it’s not only a vintage brand. Prices are quite high, but during the sales affordable:).
Shoe museum truly is one of the best things in tampere!:)
Natasha: When I was looking all those shoes yesterday I just couldn’t help wondering how elegant shoes were back in 1920’s to 1940’s. I can see some similarities in nowadays designs, but the shoes just don’t feel the same than back in ye olde days.
vasiliisa: Gee, you made me laugh out loud. :D
ebba: You’re right, Pertti Palmroth is still going on strong. Maybe I should have said Palmroth instead of Pertti Palmroth, as they changed the name after the death of Juhani Palmroth, the son of Pentti Palmroth who founded the Palmroth factory in 1928.
The shoe museum was so great that I plan to do another pilgrimage in the near future. Student ticket for 1 euro is peanuts for such eye candy.
I am not too familiar with Tampere, but damn, I should have known about this museum the last time I was there! Well, this is definitely the best excuse ever to visit some old friends in Tampere!
I have to admit I’ve never visited the Shoe Museum though I live right here in Tampere. I was just admiring that shoe in a billboard in Frenckell the other day, want it!
I guess I should pay the place a visit some day, I think it would be worth it:)
I live in Tampere, but I never knew this place excisted!
Thank you ever so much for the info, I must visit the museum as soon as possible (and drag my very unwilling boyfriend along with me).
Shoe museum… heaven on earth?
The Waves: The Shoe Museum is indeed a damn good reason to visit Tampere. :D
sarakissa: I promise you the Shoe Museum is definitely worth all trouble dragging your tiny ‘hind to the beautiful Tampella area. And btw, your blog is really nice.
ranna: Oh, shame on you! You have to pay a visit to the museum at once. And fyi, that Velomania exhibition at Vapriikki is a good excuse to drag your man along. ;)
Secretista: My thoughts exactly!