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Statues serve as enduring symbols of significant historical moments, core values, or notable achievements. Having existed for centuries, many ancient statues continue to stand today, such as the Moai of Easter Island, the Lamassu statues at the Gate of All Nations in Persepolis, and the Leshan Giant Buddha in China. These ancient monuments each tell their own story, just like the more recently constructed statues on this list.
10. Pegasus and Dragon
Throughout history, horses have played a vital role in transportation, urban development, medical advancements, and warfare. Even as late as WWII, horses were essential for pulling heavy artillery, transporting supplies, and carrying soldiers into battle. In the Middle Ages, knights relied heavily on their horses. Without these majestic creatures, Henry II would have never been able to travel the over 400 miles to a battle. Even today, some farmers continue to use horses to work the land.
In 2011, Frank Stronach, the founder of the Stronach Group, envisioned a colossal horse statue. Five years later, his dream was realized in the form of the 100-foot-tall Pegasus and Dragon statue at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The world's largest horse sculpture, crafted from bronze, honors the horses that have made significant contributions to human history. This breathtaking artwork portrays Pegasus triumphing over a fallen dragon and took two years to complete.
9. Cristo Rei
During WWII, the British chose not to seek Portugal's help, allowing the country to maintain its neutral stance throughout the conflict. Portugal remained neutral until 1944, when the US established a military base in Santa Maria.
In May 1959, the 360-foot-tall Cristo Rei statue was unveiled, standing watch over the city of Lisbon. Inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, which had been visited by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon years before, this statue was built in gratitude for Portugal's avoidance of the Second World War's horrors.
The statue of Christ, hand-sculpted and supported by arches, faces the four cardinal directions, and is beautifully illuminated at night.
8. Confucius of Mount Ni
Confucius is considered to be one of China’s most influential philosophers. He was the founder of Confucianism and believed that rulers needed to be at the forefront of ethical behavior and lead by example.
Traditionally it is believed that Confucius was born in a cave on Mount Ni, which is a hill 19 miles southeast of Qufu in Shandong Province, China. According to mythology it is here that Confucius’ mother abandoned him for some time, and he was looked after by a tiger and an eagle.
Mount Ni is also the location of a 236-foot brass statue of Confucius which was unveiled in 2018. It is the largest Confucius statue in the world, and it is hoped that the monument will help promote traditional Chinese culture.
7. The Motherland Calls
The Motherland Calls statue towers over the city of Volgograd in Russia. It is the tallest statue in Europe, the tallest statue of a woman in the world and the sword in her hand is also the largest in the world. The sculpture is a depiction of a courageous woman stretching her left arm before her while wielding the sword with the right. She symbolizes the call from the Motherland to never surrender in battle and keep defending the land until all enemies are vanquished.
The 279-foot statue was erected in 1967 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). The battle remains one of the bloodiest in history, claiming nearly 2 million soldiers' lives. Following the war, Stalingrad was completely rebuilt, with mass graves scattered throughout modern-day Volgograd. Among those buried near the statue are Vasily Zaytsev, a famed Soviet sniper, and Ivanovich Chuikov, a Marshal of the Soviet Union.
6. African Renaissance Monument
In 2010, Senegal's then-president Abdoulaye Wade unveiled Africa's tallest statue, the African Renaissance Monument. Standing at 160 feet, this bronze statue was designed to symbolize African liberation and to attract tourists. It was also intended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Senegal's independence from France. The sculpture depicts a powerful man holding a small, nude child in one arm while his other arm is wrapped around a scantily clad woman.
However, in a country with a predominantly Muslim population, the concept of idolatry and the nudity depicted in the statue sparked controversy. In addition, the $27 million spent on the statue caused outrage, especially considering that nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. As construction progressed, heaps of rubbish were visible at the base of the hill where the statue was placed, and many unfinished homes surrounded the area. Defending the project, Wade revealed that he had not paid the full amount, as he had struck a deal with a North Korean state-owned construction company to build the statue in exchange for around 40 acres of prime Senegalese real estate.
5. Garuda Wisnu Kencana
In 1990, Indonesian sculptor Nyoman Nuarta was inspired to create a statue of the Hindu god Vishnu riding the mythical bird, Garuda. Construction began in Bali in 1997, but repeated delays meant the statue was only completed in 2018, at a cost of approximately $100 million. The copper and steel statue stands an impressive 246 feet tall, with Vishnu wearing a crown adorned with gold-plated mosaics, which weighs tons. An advanced architectural lighting system was designed to highlight the intricate details of the tallest statue in Indonesia.
The myth behind the statue's design is based on the quest for Amrita, the elixir of life. According to the legend, Garuda agreed to carry Lord Vishnu if he could use the elixir to free his enslaved mother.
4. Sendai Daikannon
Sendai Daikannon is a colossal statue that gazes over the city of Sendai in Japan’s Tohoku region. Once the tallest statue in the world, it now ranks fifth. The 328-foot tall sculpture depicts the goddess of mercy, holding a wishing gem in one hand and a water flask in the other.
At the statue's base on the ground floor, 33 kannon statues are displayed, each representing a different form of the kannon goddess. Opposite them are additional statues, portraying demonic creatures that symbolize each of the months in the Chinese zodiac.
Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the statue and then descend via a stairwell. On the way down, they will pass by 108 Buddhist statues that represent various emotions and desires. If a visitor wishes to rid themselves of any negative feelings, they can locate the corresponding statue, make a wish, and leave a donation.
3. Statue of Unity
The monumental Statue of Unity represents Vallabhbhai Patel, a revered Indian statesman and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. He is hailed for uniting the diverse regions of India into one single Union. Located in Gujarat, India, the statue stands at an astounding 597 feet, making it the tallest statue in the world.
The statue is engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including winds of up to 180 km/h and earthquakes registering as high as 6.5 on the Richter scale. It took 33 months to build and was unveiled in 2018. Four elevators inside the statue's legs transport visitors to the top in just 30 seconds. In the future, much like the Statue of Liberty, it will turn green in about 100 years. The Statue of Unity is approximately four times taller than Lady Liberty.
The project, however, has not been without controversy. The construction of the statue required the relocation of 185 families, including farming families, who were given 475 hectares of new land as compensation. Despite this, protests have occurred over the displacement.
2. Peter the Great
Standing tall at 322 feet, a giant statue of Peter the Great towers above a ship-themed pedestal in Moscow. While it is an impressive size, it has not been widely praised for its design. Many locals consider it one of the most unattractive statues, deeming it an eyesore for the city.
A story that adds to the controversy claims that the statue, which was erected in 1997, was initially intended to honor Christopher Columbus in celebration of the 500th anniversary of his first voyage. However, when no buyers came forward, the statue was modified to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy founded by Peter the Great.
Interestingly, Peter the Great wasn't particularly fond of Moscow. He even moved Russia’s capital to Saint Petersburg. Given the unenthusiastic reception in Moscow, some have suggested relocating the statue to Saint Petersburg. However, the people of Saint Petersburg don’t seem to be keen on having the massive monument in their city either.
1. The Kelpies
Kelpies are mythical creatures from Scottish folklore, known for their ability to shapeshift. These malevolent beings are said to haunt rivers and streams, where they appear as horses or ponies. Once a human—especially a child—climbs onto their back, they become stuck, dragged into the water, and devoured by the Kelpies.
In 2013, two monumental horse-head statues, each standing 100 feet tall, were unveiled between Falkirk and Grangemouth in Scotland. Opened to the public in 2014, coinciding with the Lunar Year of the Horse, these sculptures, called The Kelpies, are the largest equine sculptures in the world and the tallest in Scotland. Positioned at the eastern gateway to the Forth and Clyde canal, they honor the country’s horse-powered history.
