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Giant 180-foot statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- A 55.6-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be Europe's tallest, was inaugurated in the small Polish village of Konotopie, financed by wealthy local entrepreneurs Roman and Grażyna Karkosik.
- The statue surpasses the height of Brazil's Christ the Redeemer and Poland's Christ the King statue, though it remains shorter than a larger Virgin Mary statue in the Philippines.
- The monument reflects Poland's strong Catholic heritage, particularly significant in rural areas, despite a general decline in religious influence among younger and urban populations.
- Commissioned as an expression of gratitude following Roman Karkosik's illness, the statue includes a 15-meter crown-shaped pedestal with a viewing platform, aiming to become a major pilgrimage and tourist site.
- The Karkosiks, prominent local millionaires, live nearby and have ties to Poland's business sector, with Roman Karkosik having built his fortune through investments and entrepreneurship.
