Typically, statues are created to commemorate an important historical event or in honor of a famous person. Some statues gain fame on their own, separately from the person or concept they represent, as happened with the statue of Liberty. And the highest statues of the world become the main attraction of the city in which they are located.

We present you the top 10 highest statues, one glance at which can cause a dizzy spell.

10. Statue of the goddess Guanyin in Sanya, China

Height excluding pedestal - 80 meters.

The statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy is the tenth highest statue in the world and reveals to believers three different faces of the serene bodhisattva.

One face is facing the neighboring city of Sanya, and the other two are facing outward, towards the South China Sea. The faces of the goddess Guanyin symbolize peace, wisdom and compassion.

The statue of the goddess Guanyin is surrounded by flower beds, tropical trees and flags. And at her feet Buddhist monks often pray.

9. Motherland is calling, Russia

Height excluding pedestal - 85 meters.

This statue, located in the city of Volgograd on the Mamaev Kurgan, is the central part of the monument-ensemble, consisting of three monuments. The second and third are “Rear to the Front” (located in Magnitogorsk) and “Warrior-Liberator” in Treptower Park, Berlin.

The multi-meter figure symbolizing the Motherland, calling for the fight against the enemy, was designed by Nikolai Nikitin and Eugene Vuchetich. 5500 tons of concrete and 2400 tons of metal structures were spent on its construction. Inside the statue is reinforced with metal cables.

The huge 14-meter hill on which the sculpture stands is bulk. The remains of 34,505 fighters who participated in the battle of Stalingrad are buried in it. From the foot of the Mamayev Kurgan to its top there is a serpentine road consisting of 200 granite steps - so many days the battles for Stalingrad went on.

8. Buddha Statue in Wuxi, China

Height excluding pedestal - 88 meters.

One of the largest Buddha statues in China is located on Lishan Hill near the city of Wuxi. The statue itself and its lotus-like pedestal consist of 2,000 bronze sheets weighing more than 725 tons. To protect the Big Buddha, an advanced lightning protection system is used, and various modern technologies provide its protection against wind and corrosion.

The right hand of the Buddha, which points to heaven, depicts the “mudra of fearlessness” that allows people to be brave and calm. The right hand, pointing down to the ground, shows “varada mudra”, blessing people with safety and happiness. Looking at the statue, you will find that the eyes of the Buddha always follow you, whether you are far from or near the statue. This interesting phenomenon is associated with the exceptional skills of sculptors.

Inside the pedestal of the statue is a comprehensive three-story museum where you can learn about the basics of Buddhism.

Most attractions, such as Brahma's Palace, Xiangfu Temple, etc. extend along the southeast-northwest axis from the main gate to the Big Buddha statue.

7. Statue of the goddess Kannon in the city of Ashibetsu, Japan

Height excluding pedestal - 88 meters.

It is the third tallest statue in Japan. At the time of construction (in 1989) and until 1991, the statue of the goddess of mercy Kannon in Ashibetsu was considered the tallest statue in the world.

Inside the statue there are more than 20 floors with an elevator that will take visitors to a platform that provides panoramic views of the surroundings.

The construction of such a high statue was aimed at attracting tourists to the city. However, this idea was not destined to come true; tourists still do not aspire to Asibetsu.

6. Buddha Statue, Thailand

Height excluding pedestal - 92 meters.

The Great Buddha of Thailand is the tallest statue in the country. Its construction began in Angthong province in 1990 and was completed in 2008. It cost 131 million Thai baht (about 3.75 million dollars).

The whole statue is made of cement and coated with gold paint, which gives it a majestic and radiant look. She casts a shadow not only on the temple of Wat Muang, but also the surrounding "Garden of Hell", which contains sculptures depicting various scenes from Buddhist hell.

5. Statue of the goddess Guanyin in Changsha, China

Height excluding pedestal - 92 meters.

This beautiful gilded statue is called a thousand-armed, and a good legend is associated with this image. The merciful goddess so wanted to help every creature on Earth that the other gods gave her a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. Thanks to this gift, the goddess can see all those who need help and have time to help as many people as possible.

The government of Changsha County, with the help of local business and religious organizations, has invested 260 million yuan in the construction of the statue, which was completed in 2009.

4. Statue of the goddess Kannon in Sendai, Japan

Height excluding pedestal - 100 meters.

The statue was erected in honor of the Japanese goddess of mercy - an analogue of the Chinese Guanyin. It stands on a hilltop in Sendai and is visible from many parts of the city.

The goddess Kannon holds a gem (a symbol of fulfillment of desires) in her right hand and a small vessel in her left hand, it contains the water of wisdom.

At the feet of the statue is the open mouth of the dragon, passing through which you can see 33 different forms of the goddess Cannon and twelve demonic creatures, each of which relates to Chinese astrology. You can bring some coins with you if you want to make a donation to the goddess, but this is by no means required.

On the top floor there are 108 statues, each of which represents an earthly desire. Is there a problem with jealousy? Tormented by selfishness? Tormented by greed? Find a suitable statue, put a small offering in the box and say a prayer. Perhaps this negative aspect of your personality will disappear over time.

By elevator, a tourist can reach the top of the statue and enjoy the city below. On clear days you can even see the Pacific Ocean.

3. Big Buddha in the city of Ushiku, Japan

Height excluding pedestal - 100 meters.

Usiku Daibutsu is the tallest statue made entirely of bronze. Inside the Buddha there are four floors:

• on the first level, visitors can hear beautiful music;
• the second level is entirely devoted to religious studies;
• the third level is filled with 30,000 Buddha statues;
• and from the top level of visitors you can observe beautiful gardens located in the vicinity of the statue.

2. Buddha Statue of the Spring Temple in Zhaoqun Village, China

Height excluding pedestal - 108 meters.

This massive copper Buddha stands on a lotus flower 20 meters high, and he, in turn, rests on a 25-meter pedestal. The magnificent building is China’s response to the Taliban’s barbarous destruction of two Buddha statues in Afghanistan. The Chinese greatly respect the Buddhist heritage and expressed this by creating the huge Buddha Vairochan, personifying wisdom. The cost of the project cost the Chinese authorities $ 55 million.

1. Buddha Statue of Shakyamuni (Lejun-Sasaczha), Myanmar

Height without pedestal - 115, 82 meters.

When you look at the photo of the tallest statue in the world, one involuntarily admires the titanic work that its creators did. It is noteworthy that the sculpture was erected solely on donations from local residents. This fact explains a very long construction period. It began in 1996 and ended in 2008.

Although travelers view this huge sculpture as an attractive visual object, locals regard Lejun-Sasaczha as a sacred place of worship.

The sculpture is painted in a beautiful bright yellow color. This color is considered a symbol of wisdom in Buddhism.

Not all travelers, even those who know which statue is the tallest in the world, have an idea about the internal structure of this wonder. The statue of the “Buddha-skyscraper” hides the 31st floor (which supposedly refers to the 31st plane of existence in Theravada's theology) and a special elevator.

The first few levels demonstrate some of the most terrible paintings of Buddhist hell: many horned creatures beat people with hammers before throwing them into fire pits, psychedelic wild animals chew on human limbs and all that sort of thing. Something reminiscent of the joint work of Jerome Bosch and Quentin Tarantino. Further, the pictures begin to show a clear didactic sequence: if you commit sinful act X, you will receive the terrible fate of Y.

To calm your nerves, you can take the elevator to the top floor and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Around the statue is a garden with about 9,000 bodhi trees planted. Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment while resting under a bodhi tree.

List of tallest statues in the world ever

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