Europe's Tallest Mary Statue Unveiled in Poland

A monument to the Virgin Mary standing more than 55 m tall has been unveiled in the Polish village of Konotopie and, according to available data, is the largest Marian statue in Europe. The figure itself measures 40.6 m and stands on a 15-m-high pedestal shaped like a crown.

The project was financed by one of Poland's wealthiest citizens, businessman Roman Karkosik, who described it as an expression of gratitude to the Virgin Mary. Construction is estimated to have cost approximately €23m ($26.6m).

Local officials hope the monument will attract tourists and pilgrims and help the economically struggling region. However, the construction has also drawn significant criticism.

Dominican priest Pawel Guzynski likened it to "King Kong in the field", and some residents argue that the millions would have been better spent on hospitals or social services.

The statue is taller than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and the Christ the King monument in Świebodzin, Poland. However, the world's largest statue of the Virgin Mary is located in the Philippines.

(tasr, mja)