Any country in the world is trying to show its peculiarity and stand out from a number of other states, glorify itself, its gods and great figures, who played a significant historical role. There are different ways to attract the interest of a large number of people, one of which is the construction of statues, so enormous that they can be seen from far corners of the planet. The tallest statues of the world are erected for centuries, as a sign of unwaveringness and power of the country, as well as historical value for future generations.
Statue of Liberty and Washington Monument - American Pride
Many believe that the Statue of Liberty is the tallest statue in the world. Indeed, this majestic monument, which is an American symbol, causes awe and admiration.
However, its height of 93 meters at the moment does not cause the previous surprise, because in the world there are higher monuments. What is the tallest statue in the world?
Against the backdrop of the monuments available on Earth, the monument to the first president of the United States of America, George Washington, was considered the largest structure of the planet before the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Located between the Capitol and the White House, it is a gigantic marble-lined stele. Its base around the perimeter is surrounded by fifty flags symbolizing the 50 states of the Union. The shape of the obelisk resembles a pencil, which is why it is called among Americans.
History of the Washington Monument
The design of the monument lasted almost a hundred years, including a 25-year hiatus due to the Civil War and the slow recovery of the country. The first call for construction took place as early as 1738, when the Continental Congress decided that, in honor of the victory of the Americans led by George Washington in the War of Independence, an equestrian statue should be erected in his honor. Due to limited resources in those days, the monument was never built. The fulfillment of the long-standing dream of the Americans to create a monument that the world has not yet seen, was continued in 1838, when donations for its construction began and a competition for the best idea was announced. Robert Mills won, proposing an amazing project that turned out to be unbearable for the money, but, nevertheless, was taken as a basis.
The first stone of the future masterpiece was laid on July 4, 1848, on Independence Day; at the same time, a shovel was used, which Washington personally used when laying the Capitol half a century before the described event. Construction was completed in 1884, and the monument was officially unveiled in October 1888. At the same time, a steam elevator was installed on it, giving way to an electric elevator in 1901. From the top of the monument on the observation deck you can see the Capitol building, the Lincoln Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial , the White House.
Victory Memorial - Pride of Russia
What is the tallest statue in the world after the Washington Monument? With a difference of 30 meters - this is the Victory Monument, erected in 1995 on the Day of May 9th. It is part of the Victory Memorial Complex, located in Moscow on Poklonnaya Hill. The height of the monument - 141.8 meters is deliberately chosen: 10 centimeters for every day of the war.
In shape, the obelisk resembles a trihedral bayonet covered with bronze bas-reliefs. On the granite catwalk at the foot of the monument, a statue of St. George the Victorious was erected, who was fighting a spear with a spear - a symbol of evil. At a mark of one hundred meters, there is a 25-ton group of sculptures, which includes the bronze figure of Nika - the goddess of Victory, bearing a crown, and two cupids proclaiming a joyful event.
The tallest statues in the world: Buddha of the Spring Temple
The statues of the world, which are huge, for the most part depict the Buddha. For example, the height of the tallest statue in the world - the Buddha of the Spring Temple is 128 meters, of which 28 meters are given to the pedestal in the form of a lotus. Such a grandiose construction is located on a 25-meter pedestal, to which there is a staircase consisting of 365 steps and 12 spans, symbolizing the number of days and months in a year. Erected in 2002, the tallest Buddha statue in the world rises in China in the province of Henan over the village of Zhaoqun.
This sculpture is one of the five sacred buddhas embodying Wisdom. It was made of individual parts (about 1100 pieces), folded further into one. 15 thousand tons of steel, 33 tons of copper and about 108 kilograms of gold were spent on its production, and the total implementation of the entire project amounted to about 55 million dollars. The idea of erecting such a colossus arose after the two highest statues of the world with the image of Buddha were blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan. In 2010, the hill on which the giant statue was installed was converted into two stone steps, which increased the height of the sculpture to 208 meters. This served as the basis for entering it into the Guinness Book of Records.
Japanese buddha
Equally impressive in size is the highest Buddha statue in the world (after the Buddha of the Spring Temple) located in Japan in the city of Ushiku - the 120-meter-high statue of Buddha Amitahba, created in 1995. About 600 bronze plates connected to each other took its construction; the weight of a graceful colossus is estimated at about 4,000 tons.
Being a true creation of art and a living embodiment of modern thought of engineering, the sculpture inside is equipped with museums and viewing platforms, from which a stunning view of the surrounding world opens. Also inside the monument are special rooms; in them you can leave a sign with secret desires. There are still small tombs, a place in which any Japanese can purchase at a price of 3,000 to 10,000 euros. Each tomb is marked with a sign with the names of buried people. The place for the statue was deliberately chosen: it was in Usik after long years of solitary life and meditation that he received the enlightenment of Dharmakar and became the Buddha of Amitabha. By the pose of the statue, you can determine that the Buddha transfers his knowledge and teachings to the followers, helping them to achieve enlightenment.
Buddha's headdress is not quite ordinary; there is a hat on the head in the form of his reduced face.
Lejun Sasaja - 116 meter Buddha
Religious sculptural work in Myanmar (Sikayin district) - statue of Lejun Sasaczha. A 116-meter high Buddha statue, mounted on a pedestal 13.4 meters high, stands next to another Buddha 17 years earlier.
Officially, the monument, which took 12 years to build, was opened in 2008 and at that time was the highest sculpture. The predominant color of the architectural structure is yellow.
The tallest statues in the world: Goddess Guanyin
The pride of Hainan Island (China) is the most beautiful statue of the Goddess Guanyin, erected in 2006. Its height is 108 meters. This magnificent sculpture is located on an artificially created island, to which an originally designed road leads through a green park. The three-faced goddess, whose white color harmoniously combines with the blue sea and water, attracts many tourists from all over the world.
One face of the goddess is facing the Hainan Island, the other two are directed to the sea, which symbolizes the protection of the whole world. In her hands, the goddess holds a rosary, the number of beads of which is 108. According to Feng Shui, this is a sacred amount considered to be favorable among the Chinese. By the way, at the opening of the monument in 2008 there were also 108 monks. On the other hand, in the hands of the goddess is a book and
a lotus flower. The name Guanyin means “looking at the suffering of the world,” and the goddess personifies mercy and wisdom. People come to her to pray for children; at the foot of the statue there is even a certain place where you can put
incense sticks and ask the goddess for the most intimate.
This is the rating of the highest statues in the world, exceeding the 100-meter mark.