Parikkala Sculpture Park
Etelä-Karjala
Parikkala Sculpture Park, located in Etelä-Karjala, Finland, is a remarkable open-air art environment created by self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen over more than 50 years. The park houses approximately 560 diverse and expressive concrete sculptures, making it one of the most significant single-artist collections worldwide. Rönkkönen began sculpting in 1961 with his first concrete figure, and over time the sculptures grew into a vast park that blends art with nature. Despite living among his creations, Rönkkönen maintained a distant relationship with visitors, who were encouraged to sign guest books that now hold tens of thousands of signatures. After his death in 2010, the park faced neglect until industrialist Reino Uusitalo purchased it in 2011, establishing a foundation to maintain and restore the sculptures. The park remains open year-round without lighting, inviting visitors to explore at their own pace. It is considered Finland's most notable example of ITE art and was honored as the domestic travel destination of the year in 2008 by the Travel Journalists' Guild. The combination of the sculptural works and the lush garden environment creates a mystical and inspiring cultural landmark.
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Tip: The park is open year-round and visitors can explore at any time, but there is no lighting, so daylight hours are best for safety. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online, supporting the park's maintenance. Group discounts and season passes are available. Public transport options are limited, so arriving by car is recommended, with parking available nearby. Staff take a winter break from November to April, so contact is limited during this period.
Interesting facts
- •The park contains over 560 concrete sculptures created by a single artist, Veijo Rönkkönen.
- •Visitors have signed over 100 guest books with more than 4,000 signatures each, totaling hundreds of thousands of visitor entries.
- •The park was selected as Finland's domestic travel destination of the year in 2008 by the Travel Journalists' Guild.
- •Veijo Rönkkönen was also an experimental photographer, though most of his photographs remain unpublished and private.
- •The park is one of the most important ITE (self-taught artist) art sites in Finland and internationally.
- •The sculptures and garden form a unique, mystical environment blending art and nature.
History
Veijo Rönkkönen began creating concrete sculptures in 1961, starting with "Grotesque Man." Over the following decades, his work expanded into a large sculpture park featuring hundreds of pieces.
The park became a popular roadside attraction along Highway 6, drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually.
After Rönkkönen's death in 2010, the park's condition deteriorated until it was bought by Reino Uusitalo in 2011, who established a management committee to preserve and restore the site.
Efforts continue to catalog and maintain the sculptures and promote ITE art in Southeast Finland.
Place Guide
Concrete Sculptures1961–2010
The park features approximately 560 concrete sculptures with diverse themes and expressions, created by Veijo Rönkkönen over five decades. These sculptures range from human figures to abstract forms, showcasing Rönkkönen’s unique artistic vision and craftsmanship.
Garden and Natural Setting
The sculptures are set within a lush, species-rich garden that enhances the mystical atmosphere of the park. The natural environment and art combine to create a peaceful and inspiring visitor experience.
Contact
Phone: 050 5234757
