Explore Paikkala Sculpture Park, arguably the oddest roadside attraction in Southeastern Finland. Explore Veijo Rönkkönen's sculpture garden.
I recently visited Southeastern Finland for a self-drive road trip. I love discovering roadside attractions on a driving holiday.
Google Maps is great for finding such off-the-beaten path destinations and activities. In fact, that's how I came to visit Parikkala Sculpture Park in Eastern Finland near the border with Russia.
Parikkala Sculpture Park is free to visit but donations are accepted to help maintain the works of art. What is Parikkala Sculpture Park? It is by far the oddest roadside experience (hands-down) that I've been to anywhere in the world.
In fact, I would argue that Parikkala Sculpture Park is the weirdest place in Finland. The park was the creation of Veijo Rönkkönen, a reclusive man who carved sculptures in this corner of Finland for nearly 50 years.
Now, Parikkala Sculpture Park lives on even after his death with visitors stopping by to view his creations. Read on to learn more about what you can expect from a visit to this unique Finnish roadside attraction.
Parikkala's Mossy Yoga People
What is this place? That was my first reaction to Parikkala Sculpture Park.
You won't find Parikkala Sculpture Park on Wikipedia; you'll need to visit to visit Finland to experience these secret sculptures for yourself.
Dozens of sculptures lie at the heart of Parikkala Sculpture Park and they all appear to be doing yoga poses. The sculptures feel all the more life-like thanks to mossy growth that has developed over the years.
Rönkkönen's Sculpture Garden: Mischievous Kids
Another section of Rönkkönen's sculpture garden features mischievous children. These sculptures feel decidedly more modern and lack the mossy covering.
Either Rönkkönen used different material and treatment for these sculpture to prevent moss growth or these sculptures are much newer.
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Common and Exotic Wildlife
T-Rex Time
The sculpture park just got odder and odder as we walked along. An angry T-Rex dinosaur seemed to be running amok among the mossy yoga peopl.
Gimme a Hug!
We found a narrow path around the back of the sclupture park and I discovered this fellow who seemed to be saying "Gimme a hug!"
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Modern Caricatures
Ancient Greeks Steppin' Out
Styles from all periods of history seemed to be represented at this quirky roadside attraction in Finland. Three ancient Greeks in togas and laurel wreaths seemed to be stepping out in unison.
Cave Men
Emaciated and naked cave men seemed to be washing clothes.
A Provocative Corner
Want to know the strangest thing that we saw at Parikkala Sculpture Park? This statue. There almost seems to be a twinkle in its eye.
All the sculptures in the park have strange eyes and teeth! Some say that Veijo Rönkkönen used human teeth in his sculptures.
Overall, is Parikkala Sculpture Park worth visiting on a road trip in Southeastern Finland? Unequivocally yes.
Veijo Rönkkönen's labor of love was by far the most bizarre and interesting thing that we saw on our self-drive around Southern Finland. Definitely check it out if you're in the neighborhood.
For more on visiting Finland, check out:
For more on visiting Finland, check out:
- 2 Days in Helsinki, Finland - The Perfect Way to Bookend A Ferry Trip to St. Petersburg
- A September End-of-Summer Road Trip Through Southern Finland
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