Parikkala

Parikkala is a municipality in south-eastern Finland, in the South Karelia region, close to the Russian border. It is best known for two notable sites: the Siikalahti wetland, one of the country's finest birdwatching spots, recognised as a Ramsar site and visited by numerous migratory bird species during spring and summer, and the Veijo Rönkkönen sculpture park, a striking collection of hundreds of concrete statues created by a self-taught local artist and open to the public free of charge. The Parikkala landscape is characterised by numerous lakes, including Lake Simpelejärvi, alongside forests and esker ridges typical of the region. The area provides a peaceful setting well suited to fishing, hiking, and, in winter, cross-country skiing and ice-based activities. The humid continental climate brings mild summers and long, cold winters with substantial snowfall. Parikkala remains a quiet destination, valued for its unspoilt natural surroundings rather than any bustling urban or tourist scene.