The world’s largest religious statues

By Hal Amen On April 10, 2009 · 11 Comments

Tweet

Monuments to the world’s religious figures are built big.

Cristo de la Concordia, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Tallest statue of Christ in the world (when bases aren't counted) at 34.2 meters / Photo: ozziebackpacker

Cristo Re - Dili, East Timor

Reminds us how culturally distinct East Timor is from surrounding IndonesiaPhoto: yeowatzup

Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Standing watch on Corcovado Mountain, likely has the best view of any statue / Photo: tharso

Cristo del Otero, Palencia, Spain

Tallest Christ statue in Europe, designed in post-cubist style / Photo: alfonso benayas

Cristo Rei, Almada, Portugal

Built in 1959 with a base almost three times taller than the statue itself / Photo: Isa Costa

Christ of the Abyss, off Key Largo, USA

One of several underwater bronze Christ statues in the world / Photo: Serge Melki

Cristo Rey del Cubilete, Silao, Mexico

Stands in the geographical center of the country / Photo: RussBowling

Leshan Buddha, Leshan, China

Though not a freestanding structure, still one of the largest statues anywhere in the world / Photo: drs2biz

Virgen de la Paz, Trujillo, Venezuela

Tallest statue in Latin America at over 46 meters / Photo: Photocapy

Shiva, Rishikesh, India

Sits right on the bank of the Ganges / Photo: jarmotuisk

Lord Murugan, Gombak, Malaysia

Guards the entrance to the enshrined Batu Caves outside of Kuala Lumpur / Photo:~MVI~

Maitreya Buddha, Emei Lake, Taiwan

A 72-meter statue constructed next to a Buddhist temple / Photo: Wm Jas

Virgin Mary, Haskovo, Bulgaria

World's largest depicting Mary holding Jesus / Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis

Guan Yin, Penang, Malaysia

Part of the Kek Lok Si Temple complex on Penang Island / Photo: jerine

About The Author

Hal Amen

Freelance writer Hal Amen edits Matador Trips. His personal travel blog is at WayWorded.

More By This Author

New rules force transparency in airfare listings (2 comments)
Infographic: Why we're losing the 'War on Drugs' (6 comments)
Bet you can't guess where this is [PICS] (14 comments)

view all → Hal Amen

http://travelexperta.blogspot.com marina villatoro

Those are immense statues. I’ve seen a few of them in person and they blow your mind!!! All over central america you can find smaller versions of these statues.
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist
http://www.matadorabroad.com Tim Patterson

Nice pics – that underwater Christ is wild.
http://ewkrausecom.com/theportal/about Elaine W Krause

Hal,

These photos are lovely — and ecumenical! A beautiful post for what is, to many of us from many different faiths, a sacred time of year.

Thank you so much for such expressive, and respectful treatment of these holy places.

Best wishes to you,

Elaine
http://www.vegansnorkeler.blogspot.com The Vegan Snorkeler

My favorite is the Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo. I hope to see it in person in a few days!
http://wayworded.blogspot.com/ Hal

Glad you enjoyed it, Elaine. My thanks goes out to the Flickr photographers for sharing their work!
http://www.nerdseyeview.com pam

Can we now have a moment of silence for the Bamiyan Buddhas? Thank you.
http:/lusciousasnaked.blogspot.com Eleonora

Whoa… I didn’t know that Earth is this filled with Christ’s statues.
dave

Can you check out the Christ Statue in Vung Tau, Vietnam. It said to be 32 meters tall and I see no one mentioned about it.

http://wayworded.blogspot.com/ Hal

You’re absolutely right. I wanted to include it here but couldn’t find a decent picture.

Davone King

These are all great photographs!
http://al-terity.blogspot.com/2010/02/garuda-wisnu-kencana-statue.html Alterity

Great photos.

As far as I can gather, the world’s largest statue is the 128 meter Buddha which can be found in Henan, China. However, that record may not last as indonesia is currently constructing a statue on the resort island of Bali of the Hindu god Vishnu riding his faithful mount Garuda (a mythical bird), and when it is complete it is expected to stand an incredible 146 meters tall!!!

The world’s largest religious statues

Cristo de la Concordia, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Cristo Re - Dili, East Timor

Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cristo del Otero, Palencia, Spain

Cristo Rei, Almada, Portugal

Christ of the Abyss, off Key Largo, USA

Cristo Rey del Cubilete, Silao, Mexico

Leshan Buddha, Leshan, China

Virgen de la Paz, Trujillo, Venezuela

Shiva, Rishikesh, India

Lord Murugan, Gombak, Malaysia

Maitreya Buddha, Emei Lake, Taiwan

Virgin Mary, Haskovo, Bulgaria

Guan Yin, Penang, Malaysia

Related Posts

Hal Amen

More By This Author

Gallery

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Feature

Matador Network © 2006-2011

About Matador

Sections

Become a Contributor

New Media School