Parikkala () is a municipality of Finland located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the South Karelia region, from Lappeenranta and from Joensuu. The town center of Parikkala is about from the Russian border. The municipality has a population of () After World War II, one third (199.3&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of Parikkala's area was handed over to the Soviet Union. The Orthodox Church has been very influential in this area since the Middle Ages. Later, Parikkala has become known for its many dairies. Parikkala became independent in 1617.

In 2004, three municipalities (Parikkala, Saari and Uukuniemi) merged to form one municipality called Parikkala.

Education

A comprehensive school, one of the first rural schools in Karelia of Ladoga, was founded in 1907. In 1910 the first three-class school building was built; later it expanded to include a gymnasium, hall and kitchen. A grand piano was provided in the hall, and Finnish artists Toivo Kuula and Oskar Merikanto held their concerts there when visiting Parikkala. Upper secondary school started in the year 1940 and the first class graduated in 1943. The largest number of pupils was in the 1950s, when over 500 pupils attended school there.

Traveling and routes

Parikkala is located on the main railway line from Helsinki to Joensuu. A railway station is located in the middle of Parikkala village center. Traveling time is about three and half hours from Helsinki, and all passenger trains stop at Parikkala. The city of Imatra is about 60&nbsp;km south of Parikkala.

Attractions

thumb|The sculpture park in Parikkala

One of Parikkala's most famous attractions is the park of more than 500 sculptures worked by , located along the Highway 6. This sculpture park has been called one of the "most terrifying places on Earth".

Notable people

  • Hjalmar Dahl (1891–1960), journalist, translator and writer
  • Pietari Hannikainen (1813–1899), writer, journalist and surveyor
  • Sirpa Pietikäinen (born 1959), politician
  • Aimo Pulkkinen (1928–2018), footballer
  • Arto Räty (born 1955), lieutenant general
  • Oskari Reinikainen (1885–1969), physician and politician
  • Hannu Siitonen (born 1949), javelin thrower
  • Lisa Sounio (born 1970), CEO and chairperson of Dopplr

See also

  • Niukkala – village in Parikkala

References

  • Municipality of Parikkala
  • Visit Parikkala
  • Beaches
  • goSaimaa.com – travel information
  • Siikalahti Wetland
  • Parikkalan Urheilijat – Athletes Club
  • Business Owners of Parikkala