History

Hostel Sofia and Sofia Hall have both been named after Sofia Länkelä, who served as chair of YWCA Tampere from 1906 to 1931. She was described as being wise by heart, practical, hard-working, level-minded and calm.

Sofia Länkelä was closely involved in setting up YWCA homes for young girls who moved into Tampere to work at its mills and factories. In 1968, on the site where Hostel Sofia now stands, a new high-rise was built in place of the wooden construction that was the second of these two homes, and that building served as a student dormitory in the winter and as Hostel Tampere YMCA in the summer.

In connection with extensive renovations carried out in spring 2007, the hostel was upgraded for round-the-year use and its name was changed to Hostel Sofia.

Sofia Länkelä was also instrumental in establishing Hotel Emmaus, a temperance hotel jointly owned by YWCA Tampere, YMCA Tampere and Tampere City Mission. Hotel Emmaus was extremely popular among tourists and in the 1950s it was Finland’s biggest hotel. In the 1980s Hotel Emmaus was sold off, and it is now the home of Scandic Tampere City.


	Budget accommodation also in Kiviranta!
	History Hostel Sofia and Sofia Hall have both been named after Sofia Länkelä, who served as chair of YWCA Tampere from 1906 to 1931. She was described as being wise by heart, practical, hard-working, level-minded and calm. Sofia Länkelä was closely involved in setting up YWCA homes for young girls who moved into Tampere to work at its mills and factories. In 1968, on the site where Hostel Sofia now stands, a new high-rise was built in place of the wooden construction that was the second of these two homes, and that building served as a student dormitory in the winter and as Hostel Tampere YMCA in the summer. In connection with extensive renovations carried out in spring 2007, the hostel was upgraded for round-the-year use and its name was changed to Hostel Sofia. Sofia Länkelä was also instrumental in establishing Hotel Emmaus, a temperance hotel jointly owned by YWCA Tampere, YMCA Tampere and Tampere City Mission. Hotel Emmaus was extremely popular among tourists and in the 1950s it was Finland’s biggest hotel. In the 1980s Hotel Emmaus was sold off, and it is now the home of Scandic Tampere City.