User:Siipikarja/nasinneula

Näsinneula is an observation tower in Tampere, Finland, overseeing Lake Näsijärvi. It was built in 1970–1971 and was designed by Pekka Ilveskoski. It is the tallest free-standing structure in Finland and the tallest observation tower in the Nordic countries at a height of 168 metres. The tower opened in 1971 and is located in the Särkänniemi leisure centre. There is a revolving restaurant in the tower 124 metres above the ground. One revolution takes 45 minutes. The Design of Näsinneula was inspired by the Space Needle in Seattle. The idea of a rotating restaurant was taken from the Puijo tower in Kuopio.

The base of the tower is about 15 metres higher than the lake Näsijärvi. There are two elevators made by Valmet-Schlieren. The elevators go up to 120 metres, where the cafeteria Pilvilinna ("Cloud Castle") is. The restaurant Näsinneula is on a higher floor.

The elevator ride to the top takes 27 seconds with a maximum speed of 6 m/s and the elevators carry a maximum of 15 people. The elevators are still the fastest public elavators in Finland also the only professional elevator drivers can be found in them. In the event of a power blackout, the tower's own diesel emergency generator will start. In an emergency people can be evacuated with stairs that have 700 steps.

There are beacon lights at the top, forecasting the weather for the citizens: