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Photo Essay: The World’s Largest Religious Statues

04/10/09  Print This Post Print This Post    11 Comments   Popular   Written by Hal Amen
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Monuments to the world’s religious figures are built big. In honor of Easter, this first set features 7 depicting Christianity’s main protagonist:

1.Cristo de la Concordia, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Tallest statue of Christ in the world (when bases aren’t counted) at 34.2 meters / Photo: ozziebackpacker

2.Cristo Re – Dili, East Timor / Reminds us how culturally distinct East Timor is from surrounding Indonesia
Photo: yeowatzup

3.Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Standing watch on Corcovado Mountain, likely has the best view of any statue / Photo: tharso

4.Cristo del Otero, Palencia, Spain. Tallest Christ statue in Europe, designed in post-cubist style / Photo: alfonso benayas

5.Cristo Rei, Almada, Portugal. Built in 1959 with a base almost three times taller than the statue itself / Photo: Isa Costa

6. Christ of the Abyss, off Key Largo, USA. One of several underwater bronze Christ statues in the world / Photo: Serge Melki

7. Cristo Rey del Cubilete, Silao, Mexico. Stands in the geographical center of the country / Photo: RussBowling

A now a quick sampling of other religious figures memorialized in statue form:

8.Leshan Buddha, Leshan, China. Though not a freestanding structure, still one of the largest statues anywhere in the world / Photo: drs2biz

9.Virgen de la Paz, Trujillo, Venezuela. Tallest statue in Latin America at over 46 meters / Photo: Photocapy

10.Shiva, Rishikesh, India. Sits right on the bank of the Ganges / Photo: jarmotuisk

11.Lord Murugan, Gombak, Malaysia. Guards the entrance to the enshrined Batu Caves outside of Kuala Lumpur / Photo:~MVI~

12.Maitreya Buddha, Emei Lake, Taiwan. A 72-meter statue constructed next to a Buddhist temple / Photo: Wm Jas

13.Virgin Mary, Haskovo, Bulgaria. World’s largest depicting Mary holding Jesus / Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis

14. Guan Yin, Penang, Malaysia. Part of the Kek Lok Si Temple complex on Penang Island / Photo: jerine

Tagged under: Christianity, easter, Photography, Religion, statue

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About the Author

Hal Amen

Freelance writer and Matador contributor Hal Amen has been an avid traveler for as long as he can remember, and he wouldn't have it any other way. 2009 is his volunteer year in South America, and you can find tales of this and other adventures on his personal travel blog, WayWorded.

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11 Comments... join the discussion!

  • marina villatoro replied on April 10, 2009

    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

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  • Tim Patterson replied on April 10, 2009

    Nice pics – that underwater Christ is wild.

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  • Elaine W Krause replied on April 10, 2009

    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

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  • The Vegan Snorkeler replied on April 11, 2009

    My favorite is the Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo. I hope to see it in person in a few days!

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  • Hal replied on April 11, 2009

    Glad you enjoyed it, Elaine. My thanks goes out to the Flickr photographers for sharing their work!

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  • pam replied on April 13, 2009

    Can we now have a moment of silence for the Bamiyan Buddhas? Thank you.

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  • Eleonora replied on April 16, 2009

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

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  • dave replied on July 10, 2009

    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.

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    • Hal replied to dave on July 11, 2009

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

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  • Davone King replied on December 7, 2009

    These are all great photographs!

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  • Alterity replied on February 3, 2010

    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!!!

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