Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in rural Poland
The 55.6-metre (182ft) concrete figure is head-and-shoulders above Rio de Jaineiro's Christ the Redeemer.
A 55.6-metre (182ft) concrete statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in a small Polish village, making it Europe's tallest. The sculpture in Konotopie surpasses Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer monument in height, though it falls short of the 98m Virgin Mary in the Philippines. The inauguration took place on Saturday, coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The statue's remote location in a field, miles away from any population center, is due to its commission by a local millionaire couple. During the ceremony, two helicopters released rose petals over the Virgin Mary. Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski, who consecrated the statue, emphasized the importance of looking upwards to God and heaven.
Poland remains a predominantly Catholic nation, but younger generations in urban areas are increasingly distancing themselves from the church and its traditions. Notable attendees included Lech Wałęsa, who played a pivotal role in ending communism in Poland and credited his Catholic faith for his fight against it.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
