Parikkala: Tie 6 - Särkisalmi - Joensuuhun
The landscape around Parikkala is a mosaic of coniferous forest, wetlands and lakes, which has shaped both the built environment and local life. The municipality stands in South Karelia, close to Finland’s eastern frontier, within the lake country of southeastern Finland. National Road 6 runs through Särkisalmi, forming an important road connection between Lappeenranta and Joensuu and reflecting the role of through traffic in this thinly settled area. Lake Simpelejärvi is one of Parikkala’s defining waters, while wooded shores and boggy ground extend beyond the settlements. A distinctive cultural destination is Parikkala Sculpture Park, the lifelong work of self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen, whose concrete figures form an unusual outdoor environment among the trees.
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Among the towns of Mainland Finland, Parikkala stands out for the Parikkala Sculpture Park, an unconventional outdoor collection created by local artist Veijo Rönkkönen. More than 500 concrete figures, many with intensely personal expressions, are set among woodland paths and gardens, making the park one of Finland’s most distinctive self-taught art environments. The town lies in the lake-dotted landscape of South Karelia, beside Lake Simpelejärvi and close to the Russian border. Birdlife and quiet waters shape the wider surroundings, while the sculpture park gives Parikkala a cultural identity unlike that of neighbouring Finnish lake towns. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Parikkala and South Karelia.
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Lake Saimaa and the Vuoksi waterway define much of South Karelia – their shores, forests and channels have long supported forestry, boating and lakeside settlement. In southeastern Finland, the region borders Russia and centres on Lappeenranta, a university city on the lake. Its Lappeenranta Fortress preserves the old town’s military past, while the Saimaa Canal links the lake system towards the Gulf of Finland. Imatra is known for the Imatrankoski rapids, where the Vuoksi leaves Saimaa. Karelian food traditions remain part of local identity, notably filled rye pastries. Continue with other webcams from the area to see how this part of South Karelia connects regionally.
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The terrain of Finland ranges from low coastal plains along the Gulf of Bothnia to fells in Lapland, creating a country of forests, lakes and long northern distances. More than 180,000 lakes shape everyday life, while the Lakeland region is threaded with waterways and islands. Helsinki, on the Gulf of Finland, combines neoclassical landmarks around Senate Square with contemporary Finnish design. Farther north, the Sámi are Finland’s only recognised Indigenous people, and their culture remains closely connected to the Arctic region. In winter, snow and ice transform the north; in summer, long daylight extends outdoor life well into the evening. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Finland.
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