A Polish billionaire is building a Virgin Mary statue that will dwarf the Christ the Redeemer monument in Brazil.
The statue is being financed by Polish billionaire Roman Karkosik and his wife, in Konotopie, near the town of Kikola, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in Poland.
Measuring 55 metres (180 feet) tall the massive statue of the Virgin Mary will be taller than that of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil (30 metres; 98 feet), and taller than that of Christ the King in Swiebodzin, in Poland (33 metres; 108 feet).
The images show a visualisation of the planned Virgin Mary monument, which is set to be completed sometime next year (2026).
This has been confirmed by Renata Golebiewska, the Mayor of Kikola, who said that demolition work of buildings on the plot where the statue is set to be built has been underway for two weeks.
She said: “In 2023, the Kikol City and Commune Office received an application for issuing development conditions for the construction of a viewing area with a statue of the Virgin Mary, along with a social and technical building and land development. The building permit was issued in October 2024.”
The structure will reportedly include a 15-metre (50-foot) crown, with the statue itself measuring 40 metres (131 feet).
The statue of Mary is intended to be erected as a sign of gratitude. At the same time, it is meant to become a tourist attraction.
The pedestal will serve as a viewing terrace, offering a panoramic view.
Karkosik, who according to Forbes was worth USD 1.8 billion in 2007, and his wife reportedly live in Kikola. He is reportedly one of the richest people in Poland. He is the founder and majority shareholder of Boryszew, a leading Polish industrial group.
The cost of the statue is currently unknown.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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