Top 10 Tallest Statues in the World

Making of sculptures/statues evolved right from the start of civilization. One of the most common ways in which people have used sculptures in the past is in association with their religious beliefs.

Initially, people used them as a representation of Gods and later on they started representing their Rulers/Animals/Other Important Personalities of the civilization.

Rulers who wished to immortalize their rules had statues made in their likeness and the trend continues to date. To show one’s power, the Rulers/Governments started building colossal and majestic statues across the world.

Today, many countries of the world have come up with colossal and wonderful statues to represent their Religion, Culture, Tradition and Values. The locations where these statues have been constructed/erected have become great tourist attractions. People from all parts of the world come to these destinations to admire and to know more about these engineering marvels.

 

In the following write-up, the readers can find a brief of the Top 10 Tallest Statues in the World.

Top 10 Tallest Statues in the World is listed below along with a short, informative descriptions and a picture of each. The basic information contains the height (in Meters and Feet), Location, Construction Material, Year of Completion of the Monument and little more information about the Monument.

 

Sincerely hope that the reader will find some basic and interesting facts about these gigantic marvels of the world. 

Enjoy Reading.

1.    Statue of Unity – Height: 182 Meters (597 Feet)

As on date the Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world. This is statue is located on the isle of Sadhu-Bet in the State of Gujarat, India. The height of the Statue of Unity is 182 Meters (597 Feet) which is almost double the height of the Statue of Liberty, USA. The Statue stands on a 58 Meters (190 Feet) Base and the Total height of the Statue is 240 Meters (787 Feet). The Statue of Unity has a viewing gallery at 135 Meters. 70,000 Metric Tonnes of cement was used in the construction of Statue of Unity. 6,000 Metric Tonnes of Structural Steel and 18,500 Metric Tonnes of Reinforcement bars were used to build the Statue of Unity. The thickness of the bronze cladding on the Statue is 8 mm. The surface area of about 22,500 square meters has been clad with around 1,700 Metric Tonnes of bronze. The Statue of Unity depicts Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the statue was inaugurated on 31st October 2018 to commemorate the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was a prolific Statesman and Indian Freedom fighter. He was responsible for the seamless integration of 562 Princely States into one nation - India. 2.    Spring Temple Buddha – Height: 128 Meters (420 Feet) The Spring Temple Buddha is the 2nd tallest statue in the world.  It stands 128 Meters (420 Feet) tall from the base of the lotus pedestal. This in turn stands on two structures, the “Diamond Seat” and the “Sumeru Seat” – which, if included, brings the total height to a staggering 208 Meters. The Buddha itself is huge – It is made from 108 Kilograms of gold, 3,300 Tonnes of copper alloy and 15,000 Tonnes of steel. The Diamond Seat is an interesting building itself. It is made up of five levels, each containing many small shrines holding small scaled down Golden Spring Temple Buddhas. There are over 5,000 shrines containing 6,666 mini Buddhas.  The massive copper Buddha stands atop a 66-foot-tall lotus-shaped pedestal which houses a monastery. This huge statue is located within the Fodushan Scenic Area, Henan Province, China. The statue represents the Vairocana Buddha in a standing position on a lotus-shaped throne. The statue was completed in 2008. 3.    Laykyun Sekkya – Height: 115.8 Meters (380 Feet) The 3rd tallest statue in the world is the Laykyun Sekkya (Gautama Buddha) with a height of 115.8 Meters (380 Feet). The statue is located in the Khatakan Taung village, near Monywa, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. The Laykyun Sekkya Statue depicts a standing Gautama Buddha beside a reclining Gautama Buddha statue depicting the scene of Mahaparinirvana. The construction of the statue took 12 years to complete. The work started in 1996 and was completed on 21 February 2008. 4.  Statue of Belief – 112 Meters (369 Feet) The Statue of Belief also called as Vishwas Swaroopam (in India) is a statue of Hindu God Shiva constructed at Nathdwara in the state of Rajasthan of India. God Shiva is depicted in a seated position with his legs crossed and holding a “Trishul” (Trident) in his left hand. Shiva's left foot is thrown over the knee of his right foot. The facial expression is detached, meditative. The overall height of the statue is 112 Meters (369 Feet).   The installation includes a statue of Nandi, Shiva's bull, measuring 7.6 Meters (25 Feet) tall and 11 Meters (37 Feet) long. The statue can be seen from as far as 20 Kilometers (12 Miles) away. The interior of the statue contains an exhibition hall as well as public viewing galleries accessible by elevator at 6.1 Meters (20 Feet), 34 Meters (110 Feet), and 82 Meters (270 Feet). The structure consists of an inner core of reinforced cement concrete walls surrounded by a structural steel framework which is itself surrounded by a molded ultrahigh performance concrete exterior. The surface was sprayed with liquefied zinc, then coated with copper. The statue opened on 29th October 2022 and is currently the tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the World. 5.    Ushiku Daibutsu – Height: 100 Meters (330 Feet) Constructed in 1993, the statue of Ushiku Daibutsu is located in Ushiku, Ibaraki, Japan. This 100 Meter (330 Feet) tall statue stands on a lotus platform. It stands a total of 120 Meters (390 Feet) tall, including the 10 Meters (33 Feet) base and 10 Meter lotus platform, which is equivalent to a 38-story building. The height of the giant, bronze statue includes the 10-Meter-high base and 10-Meter-high lotus platform. Primary material used to make the statue is bronze sheets which are placed on steel structure. Weight: 4,003 Tonnes (8,825,000 lb.) An elevator takes visitors up 85 Meters (279 Feet) to an observation floor. Inside the statue is a four-story building, which serves as a museum. It depicts an Amitabha Buddha. It was built to commemorate the birth of Shinran who was known as the founder of the “True Pure Land School” of Buddhism. 6.  Sendai Daikannon – Height:100 Meters (330 Feet) The 100 Meters (330 Feet) statue of Sendai Daikannon is the 6th tallest statue in the world and the tallest statue of a deity in Japan. This statue is located in the city of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture of Japan. Sendai Daikannon, officially known as the Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon, is a large statue of Byakue Kannon. The magnificent white statue depicts Bodhisattva Kannon also known as Byakue Kannon and is seen holding a beautiful “Chintamani gem” in her hand. It represents the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva, a Goddess which embodies the concept of compassion in the Japanese Buddhism. This statue was completed in 1991. The inner part of the statues contains 108 Buddha statues, each representing a different human emotion or desire. 7.    Guishan Guanyin – Height: 99 Meters (325 Feet) The Guishan Guanyin statue of the Thousand Hands and Eyes is located in Ningxiang, Hunan Province of China. It is the 7th tallest statue in the world and 4th among the statues located in China. It is a beautifully gilded bronze monument depicting a manifestation of the Bodhisattva Guanyin known as Shiyimian Qianshou Guanyin meaning the "Eleven-headed Thousand-armed Guanyin". Construction of this statue was completed in 2009. This monument depicting Avalokitesvara and stands 99 Meters (325 Feet) tall. It is one of the manifestations of Bodhisattva Guanyin. 8.    Mother of All Asia (Tower of Peace) – 98.15 Meters (322 Feet) The Mother of All Asia also known as The Tower of Peace is a monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary as a symbol of Unity and Peace in Asia and the whole world. This is the world's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary. This stands 98.15 Meters (322 Feet) tall which includes the pedestal it stands on. This Shrine is located top of a hill with an elevation of 148 Meters above sea level in Batangas City, Philippines, overlooking the Verde Island Passage. Its height is equivalent to a 33-storey building which also represents Lord Jesus’ life year on earth. The crown has 12 stars that represents the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. The monument has 12 foundations that represents the 12 Tribes of Israel. The Construction work for the statue began in the year 2014 and was completed by 2021. The Mother of All Asia's hands and face was designed by Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo and is made of concrete and steel.   9.  Great Buddha of Thailand – Height: 92 Meters (302 Feet) The Great Buddha of Thailand is the 9th tallest statue in the world, and the highest statue in Thailand. The Great Buddha of Thailand is also known as the Big Buddha, The Big Buddha of Thailand, Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, and Mahaminh Sakayamunee. Located in the Wat Muang temple in Wiset Chai Chan, Ang Thong Province, Thailand this statue stands 92 Meters (302 Feet) high and is 63 Meters (207 Feet) wide. This was constructed on the order of Phra Kru Vibul Arjarakhun, the first monk head of Wat Muang Temple. Construction commenced in 1990 and was completed in 2008. It is made of concrete and painted gold.  The Buddha is in the seated posture called Maravijaya Attitude. 10. Hokkaido Kannon – 88 Meters (289 Feet) The Hokkaido Kannon Statue also known as Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park is located in the Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. This is the 3rd tallest statue in Japan and is the 10th tallest statue in the world. The statue has more than 20 floors in which most of the floors are shrines and places of worship. It has an elevator and a platform that offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Planning of the statue began in 1975 and construction was completed in 1989. Though the following statue does not come under the Top 10 tallest statues of the world, this statue needs a special mention as this is a unique one because of the complexity of the engineering and construction of this statue. The Motherland Calls – 85 Meters (279 Feet) This 85 Meters (279 Feet) tall statute of the Motherland Call is the 11th tallest statue in the world and the tallest statue of women in the world. In total, the statue is 279 feet tall from the tip of the sword to the top of the plinth. The female figure stands at an impressive 170 feet tall. The sword, meanwhile, is 108 feet long and made entirely of stainless steel. The statue is an engineering marvel as this unique statue depicts a woman stepping forward with a sword in her raised right hand and the left hand is extended in a gesture of calling someone. The Statue is hollow. The technology behind the hollow statue is based on a combination of pre-stressed concrete with wire ropes. Inside, the entire statue consists of separate cells or chambers, like rooms in a building. The concrete walls of the sculpture are 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) thick. The statue contains 5,500 Tonnes of concrete and 2,400 Tonnes of metal structures, and the sword itself weighs 14 Tonnes.  The construction of the Statue started in May 1959 and was completed on 15 October 1967. The statue of the Motherland Call is located in Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia. The statue is a symbolic image of the Motherland, which calls on its sons and daughters to repulse the enemy and return to the attack. The sculpture depicts a woman stepping forward in an elegant but forceful manner, her left arm outstretched before her and her right raised high and wielding a mighty sword. It is a symbol of strength and determination, a call from the Motherland to never surrender and to maintain the attack until all enemies are defeated. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 1. Question : Which is the tallest statue in the world and where it is located?   Answer : The Statue of Unity is The Tallest Statue in the World with a marvellous height of 182 Meters (597 Feet) and is located in Sadhu Bet, Gujarat State, India. 2. Question : Which is the tallest statue in China?   Answer : The Spring Temple Buddha is tallest statue in China with a height of 128 Meters (420 Feet) and is located within the Fodushan Scenic Area, Henan Province, China. 3. Question : Which is the tallest statue in Myanmar?   Answer   The tallest statue in the Myanmar is the Laykyun Sekkya (Gautama Buddha) with a height of 115.8 Meters (380 Feet) and is located in the Khatakan Taung village, near Monywa, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. 4. Question : Which is the tallest statue in Japan?   Answer   The statue of Ushiku Daibutsu located in Ushiku, Ibaraki, Japan is the tallest in Japan with a height of 100 Meters (330 Feet). 5. Question : Which is the tallest statue in Philippines?   Answer   The Mother of All Asia also known as The Tower of Peace is the tallest statue in Philippines as this stands 98.15 Meters (322 Feet) tall and is located in Batangas City, Philippines. 6. Question : Which is the tallest statue in Thailand?   Answer   The Great Buddha of Thailand the tallest statue in Thailand with a height of 92 Meters (302 Feet) and is located in the Wat Muang temple in Wiset Chai Chan, Ang Thong Province, Thailand. 5. Question : Which is the tallest statue of a woman in the world?   Answer : The tallest statue of a woman in the world is The Motherland Calls located in Russia. It is the world’s 11th tallest statue with a height of 85 Meters (279 Feet).