Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue nears completion in Poland, funded by billionaire
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A 55-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary, set to be Europe's tallest monument, is nearing completion near Toruń, Poland.
- The statue, funded by billionaire Roman Karkosik, will stand 40.6 meters tall on a 15-meter pedestal.
- The monument will be inaugurated on August 15 and will feature a viewing terrace accessible to the public.
A colossal statue of the Virgin Mary, poised to become Europe's tallest monument, is nearing completion near Toruń, Poland. The towering figure, standing 40.6 meters on a 15-meter pedestal, will reach a total height of approximately 55 meters, surpassing landmarks like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and the Christ the King statue in Świebodzin.
The monument is being built next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Konotop.
The project is situated near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Konotop. Final touches, including landscaping and grass installation, are underway, with the entire investment expected to conclude in the coming weeks. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for August 15, coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
The figure of the Virgin Mary itself is to measure 40.6 meters.
Financed by Roman Karkosik, a prominent Polish billionaire and owner of the automotive parts manufacturer Boryszew, the monument's construction highlights significant private investment in religious landmarks. Karkosik and his wife Grażyna's wealth was estimated at 1.96 billion Polish złoty in 2025.
The new monument will surpass both the famous figure of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, which is 38 meters high, and the monument of Jesus Christ in Świebodzin, which measures 36 meters including the crown.
The statue will feature a viewing terrace offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. It will be accessible to visitors daily from April 1 to September 30 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. During the winter months (October 1 to March 31), visiting hours will be from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends.
The investor of the monument is one of the richest Poles, Roman Karkosik, owner of the Boryszew company.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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