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.
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.