An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the tallest in Europe, was inaugurated on Saturday in the small Polish village of Konotopie. The monument towers 55.6 meters (182 feet) over the village, which has fewer than 150 residents, including a 15-meter (49-foot) pedestal.
The statue surpasses other large-scale religious monuments in Poland, including the Christ the King statue in Swiebodzin, which stands at 52 meters (170 feet) complete with its supporting mound. It is also taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which measures 38 meters (125 feet) including its pedestal.
The new statue in Poland is taller than its European counterparts, though a taller statue of the Virgin Mary exists in the Philippines at 98 meters (322 feet).
Inauguration of the statue comes at a time when the influence of religion in public life in Poland has seen a gradual decline, particularly among younger generations and in urban centers. However, the Catholic Church, to which the vast majority of Poles identify, remains influential, especially in rural communities and among older demographics. The Catholic Church played a significant role in public life following the end of communism in 1989.
The monument was commissioned by local entrepreneurs Roman and Grażyna Karkosik. Roman Karkosik, who amassed his fortune through ventures including plastic-bottle manufacturing and investments on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, stated the monument is an expression of gratitude to God following a period of illness.
Local authorities hope the statue will become a significant pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. A viewing platform has been incorporated into the statue's pedestal.