Veijo Rönkkönen, a paper mill worker, spent his free time for 50 years sculpting his forest home.
Many sculptures feature real human teeth embedded in the concrete to give the faces a realistic, unsettling look.
The park contains a massive 'Yoga Garden' representing over 250 different yoga poses.
The artist rarely allowed public access to the park during his lifetime, preferring to keep it as a private retreat.
The statues were created using a simple mix of concrete and, in some cases, moss and clothes to create texture.
The site was acquired by a non-profit association in 2011 to prevent the collection from being dismantled or sold.
Parikkala Sculpture Park is an outsider art environment featuring over 550 concrete statues created by self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen over five decades. The collection includes a large group of figures practicing yoga in various positions, which serve as a central thematic element of the park. Rönkkönen integrated human teeth into many of the sculptures to create a lifelike appearance. The park is situated within a dense forest landscape, with statues dispersed along winding paths. It was established at the artist's private residence and remained his lifelong project until his death in 2010. Today, the site is managed by a dedicated foundation that maintains the grounds and protects the deteriorating concrete artworks. The sculptures reflect various themes including Finnish folklore, childhood memories, and Rönkkönen’s own physical fitness regimen.
The central Yoga Garden, where dozens of identical figures are arranged in rows, provides the most striking wide-angle compositions.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes as the paths through the forest can be uneven and occasionally muddy.
Bring insect repellent, as the dense forest environment near the Russian border is prone to mosquitoes in the summer.
Respect the artwork by not climbing on or touching the delicate, aging concrete sculptures.
Do not attempt to visit during winter or early spring as the paths are often impassable due to snow and the site is generally closed.
The park is only accessible to the public during the summer months; it remains closed during the autumn, winter, and early spring.
Stay strictly on the marked footpaths to preserve the surrounding forest ecosystem and avoid damaging the statues.
