×
SEARCH
Across the world, immense and astonishing statues stand as symbols of the history, culture and beliefs of the people who created them. These giant sculptures testify to human creativity, craftsmanship and engineering, attracting many visitors every year.
This article explores some of the world’s largest statues and looks at their history, stories and architecture.
1. Statue of Unity, India:
Height: 182 metres
Location: Gujarat, India
Depicts: Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first deputy prime minister
The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue. It was built in honour of Vallabhbhai Patel, a prominent leader of India’s independence movement. Completed in 2018, the immense bronze monument overlooks the Narmada River and symbolises India’s national unity and strength.
2. Spring Temple Buddha, China:
Height: 128 metres
Location: Henan Province, China
Depicts: Vairocana Buddha
The Spring Temple Buddha is the world’s second-tallest statue and stands within the Spring Temple Buddhist complex. Completed in 2008, it depicts Vairocana Buddha and is an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination in China.
3. Laykyun Sekkya Buddha, Myanmar:
Height: 116 metres
Location: Sagaing Region, Myanmar
Depicts: Gautama Buddha
The Laykyun Sekkya Buddha stands in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. Completed in 2008, this towering representation of Gautama Buddha is regarded as one of the country’s sacred Buddhist sites.
4. Guanyin of a Thousand Hands and Eyes, China:
Height: 108 metres
Location: Hubei Province, China
Depicts: the Buddhist figure Guanyin
This monumental statue depicts Guanyin with a multitude of hands and eyes. The Persian overview describes the 108-metre monument as a statue in Hubei, completed in 2008. Its imagery expresses mercy and compassion.
5. The Motherland Calls, Russia:
Height: 87 metres
Location: Volgograd, Russia
Depicts: a woman calling her children to battle
The Motherland Calls is one of the world’s great monumental statues. Built in 1967 in Volgograd, Russia, it portrays a woman summoning her children to fight against the Nazis and symbolises the patriotism and sacrifice of the Russian people.
6. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil:
Height: 38 metres
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Depicts: Jesus Christ
Christ the Redeemer is one of the world’s most recognisable statues. Built in 1931 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it depicts Jesus Christ with outstretched arms and has become a symbol of peace and hope.
These are only a few of the world’s great monumental statues. Many other immense sculptures stand around the globe, each with its own history and story.
Many large statues are religious monuments representing deities, Buddhas or other sacred figures.
Others were created to commemorate historical people or significant events.
Giant sculptures often become popular tourist attractions and can provide an important source of income for local communities.
Building and maintaining large statues can be very expensive. Some people believe that the resources devoted to them could instead have been used for other purposes.