The Parikkala Sculpture Park
The Parikkala Sculpture Park
4.5
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4.5
124 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
31
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3
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2
Terrible
2
Christoff3r88
Tallinn, Estonia6 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Enough to give you nightmares. Real human teeth, cold glassy eyes and half naked statues in every imagenable pose. Not for me at all but my friend found it to be entertaining and worth a stop if your driving by.
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JariJK
Kouvola, Finland6,923 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
It is claimed that the Parikkala Statue Park (also known as Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden or Rönkkösen Patsaspuisto) is one of the creepiest (scariest) attractions in the world. However, it is suitable for children, too.
These concrete sculptures are very weird, funny and interesting. There are almost 500 sculptures in the park, mostly human figures. The self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen (1944-2010) made all these sculptures around his own house. Almost 200 of these sculptures are self-portraits of the artist himself in different yoga positions. Other big themes are children doing gymnastics and dancing. Many of these sculptures have real human teeth or dentures.
The Parikkala Statue Park is the most important ITE art attraction in Finland. The acronym ITE derives from the Finnish words "itse tehty elämä" (self-made life). ITE means Finnish contemporary folk art. ITE artists work outside the traditional art world and display art in their everyday surroundings. They do everything themselves without any courses, guidance or amateur art clubs. The Parikkala Statue Park is the most eastern outsider art environment in Europe.
The Parikkala Statue Park is always open. There isn't any entrance fee to the park but voluntary donations for the maintenance of the park are appreciated. The park is situated in Koitsanlahti (Parikkala municipality) on the highway 6, only less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Russian border! There aren't any services available in the park but you can buy something to drink and eat from the small kiosk (closed in the night, early mornings and in the winter) next to the parking area.
We have visited the Parikkala Statue Park several times and it is always very interesting. You find something new every time. Both we adults, our children and our friends love this attraction very much. If you want to have a very special experience, you can visit this park during a summer night when the dusk makes a very unique atmosphere!
Remember to visit the nearby Siikalahti bird lake, Finland's best bird wetland, too.
These concrete sculptures are very weird, funny and interesting. There are almost 500 sculptures in the park, mostly human figures. The self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen (1944-2010) made all these sculptures around his own house. Almost 200 of these sculptures are self-portraits of the artist himself in different yoga positions. Other big themes are children doing gymnastics and dancing. Many of these sculptures have real human teeth or dentures.
The Parikkala Statue Park is the most important ITE art attraction in Finland. The acronym ITE derives from the Finnish words "itse tehty elämä" (self-made life). ITE means Finnish contemporary folk art. ITE artists work outside the traditional art world and display art in their everyday surroundings. They do everything themselves without any courses, guidance or amateur art clubs. The Parikkala Statue Park is the most eastern outsider art environment in Europe.
The Parikkala Statue Park is always open. There isn't any entrance fee to the park but voluntary donations for the maintenance of the park are appreciated. The park is situated in Koitsanlahti (Parikkala municipality) on the highway 6, only less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Russian border! There aren't any services available in the park but you can buy something to drink and eat from the small kiosk (closed in the night, early mornings and in the winter) next to the parking area.
We have visited the Parikkala Statue Park several times and it is always very interesting. You find something new every time. Both we adults, our children and our friends love this attraction very much. If you want to have a very special experience, you can visit this park during a summer night when the dusk makes a very unique atmosphere!
Remember to visit the nearby Siikalahti bird lake, Finland's best bird wetland, too.
Written 7 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pogleswood186338
Bristol, UK86 contributions
Aug 2019
Visited this sculpture park as part of a tour of the Finnish Lakeland. This really is a surprising place- but must be visited!
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pepics
Tampere, Finland710 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
You can find the park near Parikkala, there is a sign "Patsaspuisto" and a small area for parking your car next to the highway #6. The scultures are amazing, made of concrete and depicting human body in different poses, most in yoga poses because the sculptor was an avid yoga practioner and swimmer. So he was very interested in the shape and movement of human bodies.
The sculptures are very lively (many have false teeth!) and kind of nature-oriented. Many of the figures are lying on the ground on their belly or back and are gradually becoming part of the nature because the moss is taking over. There are lots and lots of sculptures!
There is a really small museum as well telling the sculptor's history.
This is a really nice park to visit, it lifts your spirit and you leave with a warm feeling. Furthermore, the entrance is free. The payment is voluntary but please leave something. The money is spent on the maintenance of the park.
The sculptures are very lively (many have false teeth!) and kind of nature-oriented. Many of the figures are lying on the ground on their belly or back and are gradually becoming part of the nature because the moss is taking over. There are lots and lots of sculptures!
There is a really small museum as well telling the sculptor's history.
This is a really nice park to visit, it lifts your spirit and you leave with a warm feeling. Furthermore, the entrance is free. The payment is voluntary but please leave something. The money is spent on the maintenance of the park.
Written 7 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosonen
Lappeenranta, Finland89 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Hundreds of statues made from concrete by an eccentric artist made during 30 years. No entrance fee but you can make a donation. Some of the statues are quite creepy. A must stop on the highway.
Written 26 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
260robertwc
Carmichael, CA12 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Be prepared to fight off mosquitoes. But, mosquitoes notwithstanding, this place is as different a place as you will find. It is at once charming, haunting, frightening, delightful, playful, somber, and sad.
Written 7 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralf L
Helsinki, Finland34 contributions
Sept 2018
A park with more than 500 sculptures made by one man. Mr Veijo Rönkkönen is the man who made the sculptures and he was a bit a loner. He was practising yoga, went swimming and made sculptures. Location by the main road and actually you are 50 meters away from the Finnish boarder area and less than a km away from the Finnish _ Russian border. Entrance fee suggested 2 to 5 euros which you put in a metal box in the park.
Written 4 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
POstcardswa
Canning Vale, Australia89 contributions
Jun 2017
I must admit to being somewhat puzzled by some of the reviewers who found this disturbing.
Perhaps they were not made aware of the history of the creator of this amazing collection of cement sculptures, Veijo Ronkonon, who died in 2010.
He was a gymnast, and served in the Finnish army. I am not sure of this, but I suspect that his army experiences made something of a hermit; certainly he found communicating with people and making friends difficult, and thus he began creating sculptures of gymnasts with whom he felt comfortable. Over the years the gymnastic theme persisted, but as his artistry increased so too did the scale of his works.
Today he is recognised internationally as one of Finland's first and most impressive contemporary artists.
Even the paths he created are works of art, my guess would be over 1000 hand made tiles fitted together to lead you through his collection of fascinating 'friends'.
Perhaps they were not made aware of the history of the creator of this amazing collection of cement sculptures, Veijo Ronkonon, who died in 2010.
He was a gymnast, and served in the Finnish army. I am not sure of this, but I suspect that his army experiences made something of a hermit; certainly he found communicating with people and making friends difficult, and thus he began creating sculptures of gymnasts with whom he felt comfortable. Over the years the gymnastic theme persisted, but as his artistry increased so too did the scale of his works.
Today he is recognised internationally as one of Finland's first and most impressive contemporary artists.
Even the paths he created are works of art, my guess would be over 1000 hand made tiles fitted together to lead you through his collection of fascinating 'friends'.
Written 11 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jani40
Finland40 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
If you are in neighbourhood you really should stop here. Over 200 man size sculptures around the garden. Really interesting place where kids enjoyed too.
There is a grill on the parking place that wasn't open but just 500 meters away is excellent local restaurant/cafe Iloisen Pässin maalaispuoti.
There is a grill on the parking place that wasn't open but just 500 meters away is excellent local restaurant/cafe Iloisen Pässin maalaispuoti.
Written 10 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lissu99
Finland82 contributions
If you are driving there nearby, don't miss this park! This is the one of a kind place. Small but full of creepy sculptors. No entry fee, but if you want you can donate few euros. Definitely worth visiting!
Written 25 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I get there from Helsinki and what distance please
Written 14 December 2018
Good morning from Finland !
From Helsinki to the Parikkala Sculpture park the distance is about 310 km.
The best option is to rent a car and drive with it to the park. On the way there are other things to be seen.
There are busses from Helsinki to Imatra and from there a local
bus to Parikkala. But only to travel to the park will take most of the day. The park is best in summertime and in the wintertime with snow I think most of the paths in the park have not been clean from snow. More info look for the website of the park.
Raf
Written 16 December 2018
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