The Tallest Statue on Every Continent

Whether a statue is built to memorialize the past, express religious beliefs, or honor distinguished citizens, it’s a piece of art that is meant to last. And while art can’t necessarily be compared, it can be measured — especially when it comes to height. Soaring high in the sky, the following statues are among the tallest in the world. Check out the tallest statues on each of the continents (sans Antarctica, which has no permanent inhabitants).

Statue of Unity – India (Asia)

Soaring to a dizzying height of 597 feet, the Statue of Unity is not only the tallest statue in Asia but also the tallest statue in the world. This massive monument pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as the first home minister of an independent India from 1947 to 1950. Commonly known as the “Architect of Modern India,” Patel was a criminal lawyer who used his extraordinary organization and leadership skills to piece together the princely states to create a united nation. 

Built along the Narmada River, the Statue of Unity was inaugurated on October 31, Patel’s birthday, in 2018. Designed and sculpted by Ram V. Sutar, the massive statue combines 77,000 tons of mixed materials, including iron, bronze, concrete, and steel, as a way to honor Patel’s other nickname as the “Iron Man of India.”

African Renaissance Monument – Senegal (Africa)

Climbing 171 feet high, Africa’s tallest statue is the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal. The towering statue depicts a man, woman, and child climbing upward, their gazes fixed upon a distant spot on the horizon. Intended to be a progressive symbol of Africa breaking free from its colonial past, the statue was ultimately met with some controversy. 

Since Senegal is predominantly Muslim, the partially clothed statues were deemed as scandalous and insensitive to the majority of the faith. The statue was also extremely costly, with funds up to $27 million dollars used to build and install it. Despite public outcry, however, the African Renaissance Monument is the city’s most famous landmark and remains a popular tourist draw for Dakar.

The Motherland Calls – Russia (Europe)

Standing on a grassy hill overlooking Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) is the world’s tallest statue of a woman — and the tallest statue in Europe. The Motherland Calls depicts a 172-foot-tall woman stepping forward with her arms outstretched, holding a 108-foot-long sword up to the sky. From its base, the total height of the statue is 279 feet. 

The statue symbolizes Russia (“the Motherland”) calling its people into battle. Designed by Yevgeny Vuchetich, the statue took eight years to complete; at the time of its unveiling in 1967, it was the world’s tallest statue. The Motherland Calls is the focal point of a memorial complex that commemorates the Battle of Stalingrad, which took place during World War II. A 200-step staircase, which represents the 200-day duration of the battle, leads from the foot of the complex to the statue’s base.

Birth of the New World – Puerto Rico (North America)

Perched above the sugar-sand Caribbean beaches of Puerto Rico’s northern coastline is North America’s tallest statue. The 350-foot-tall Birth of the New World comprises 6,500 tons of bronze, copper, and steel, and depicts Christopher Columbus on his voyage toward the Americas. It’s the work of Zurab Tsereteli, a Russian sculptor known for his often-controversial and large-scale projects. 

Curiously, Puerto Rico wasn’t the planned site of the statue. It was first offered to several U.S. cities in the early 1990s to mark the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ landfall in 1492. They all turned it down due to its size and concerns regarding Columbus’ legacy. However, in 2016 it found a home in the town of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Monumento a la Virgen de la Paz – Venezuela (South America) 

Although this 154-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary was unveiled in 1983, its origins go back to the 16th century. Constructed in the Venezuelan countryside outside the city of Trujillo, Monumento a la Virgen de la Paz was built to honor the Virgin Mary, who, according to legend, was often spotted by locals in the 1550s, walking on a hillside known as Peña de la Virgen. 

Thanks to this legend, the area was chosen as the site to honor the Mother of Peace with a giant statue that provided panoramic views of the entire region. The statue’s interior has five different lookout points at various body parts, including her knees, hands, waist, and eyes. The site also contains a chapel and bell tower, making it a spiritual excursion for worshippers and tourists alike.

Big Merino – Australia

The tallest statue in Australia is a 49-foot-tall statue of a merino ram, aptly named Big Merino. Located in Goulburn, New South Wales, and constructed in honor of the country’s wool industry, Big Merino was modeled after a local stud ram named Rambo who resided on a nearby sheep farm. The giant sheep stands three stories high and is made entirely of concrete and steel. 

The interior of Big Merino features an exhibition designed by Australian Wool Innovation, which details the history and importance of wool in Australia over the course of the last two centuries. Merino wool, the darling of the fine wool industry due to its softness and moisture-wicking abilities, is also showcased inside the statue, alongside a gift shop, displays, and an observatory view from the ram’s eyes.