Patsaspuiston lähde, Koitsanlahti, Parikkala, Etelä-Karjala, Finland

## Overview Patsaspuiston lähde is a natural public drinking spring located in the village of Koitsanlahti, within the municipality of Parikkala in the Etelä-Karjala (South Karelia) region of southeastern Finland. Situated along the historic Route 6 — one of Finland's major north–south highways connecting Helsinki to the eastern border region — this roadside spring has long served as a convenient refreshment stop for travelers and locals alike. Parikkala and the surrounding South Karelia region are known for their proximity to the Finnish-Russian border and the cultural heritage of old Karelia. The landscape here is shaped by glacial activity, with abundant groundwater reserves filtering through layers of sand and gravel deposited during the last Ice Age. Springs like Patsaspuiston lähde tap into these clean, naturally filtered aquifers, and the water has historically been valued as a drinking water source by the local community. The spring is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the water is available free of charge. ## Directions 1. Head to **Route 6 (Kuutostie)** in the Koitsanlahti area of Parikkala, Finland. 2. Look for the stretch of road between addresses **Kuutostie 612 and Kuutostie 598**, near the postal code area **59130 Parikkala**. 3. If coming from the north, use **Hotel Laatokan Portti** as your landmark — head south from the hotel along Route 6. 4. After just a few hundred meters, the spring will appear on your **right-hand side** of the road. 5. GPS coordinates: **61.482953, 29.480511**. The spring is located directly at the roadside, so parking is straightforward — simply pull over safely near the spring. ## What to Expect Patsaspuiston lähde offers a steady, continuous flow of water year-round, making it a reliable stop regardless of the season. The spring is easily accessible right from the edge of Route 6, with no hiking or difficult terrain required — you can walk up to it within moments of stepping out of your vehicle. The spring is visitable even at night, though there is no dedicated lighting, so bringing a flashlight during the darker months (especially during Finland's long winter nights) is a good idea. The surrounding area of Koitsanlahti and Parikkala offers several nearby attractions for those making a longer stop. Most notably, the municipality is home to the famous **Parikkala Sculpture Park (Patsaspuisto)** — a striking outsider art installation featuring hundreds of concrete sculptures created by the late artist Veijo Rönkkönen. The spring's name, Patsaspuiston lähde, directly translates to "Sculpture Park Spring," reflecting its proximity to this unique cultural landmark. Visitors have historically used this spring as a source of drinking water, and the flow is reported to be clean and consistent. As with any natural water source, conditions can vary, and the water quality is not officially guaranteed.