The world is filled with miraculous art pieces. And while most of the statues are ones that we can see while walking around museums, there are large structures that take years, even decades, to make. But what is the biggest statue in the world?
From religious figures to political idols, there are so many characters in history that are worthy of becoming gigantic artistic creations. And while most of us in the United States can only imagine the Statue of Liberty as one of the biggest statues, let’s dive into which is actually the biggest statue in the world, as it’s certainly not in the States.
5. Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan
The Ushiku Daibutsu is 5th place on the biggest statue in the world list and is located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It was completed in 1993 and stands 330 feet (or 100 meters). With the addition of the base, it stands a total of 390 feet (or 120 meters) thanks to the platform. It’s made out of bronze and depicts Amitabha Buddha, who is known for his longevity, discernment, pure perception, and the purification of aggregates.
The statue held a record for being the tallest in the world from 1993 to 2008. But even with the loss of its title, it’s still one of the biggest statues. Visitors are able to take an elevator up 297 feet to an observation floor.
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4. Vishwas Swaroopam, India
Vishwas Swaroopam, or the Statue of Belief, is 4th on the list. The statue depicts the Hindu God, Shiva, and was constructed at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, India. It was created by Murtikar Naresh Kumawat and opened up in 2022. While it’s the tallest Shiva statue in the world, it’s not the biggest statue in the world.
The inner core is made of reinforced cement concrete walls surrounded by a structural steel framework which is surrounded by molded high-performance concrete and then sprayed in liquified zinc, coated with copper. The statue itself is 348 feet high, or 106 meters, and contains an exhibition hall and elevator for viewing.
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3. Laykyun Sekkya, Myanmar
The third-tallest statue in the world sits at 380 feet in total or 115.8 meters. The statue is located in Myanmar in a village called Khatakan Taung near the town of Monyway. The process started in 1996 and ended in 2008.
During its initial construction, it was the tallest in the world and is regarded as one of the top tourist attractions. The Buddha is decorated in gold, with many squares around its body that are windows that can be seen from inside.
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2. Spring Temple Buddha, China
Sprint Temple Buddha is number two on the biggest statue in the world list. The statue depicts Vairocanan Buddha in the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, China, and was built between 1997 and 2008.
It stands 420 feet or 128 meters. It did hold the record for the tallest statue up until 2018 when the now-leading statue holds the record. The name is derived from the nearby Tiarui hot spring, whose water is renowned for its curative properties.
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1. Statue of Unity, India
The biggest statue in the world belongs to the Statue of Unity, which sits at a height of 597 feet, or 182 meters. It’s located in the state of Gujarat, India, and depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, who lived from 1875 to 1950 and was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India and an adherent of Mahatma Gandhi.
Patel played a significant role in the political integration of India. The statue is divided into five zones, where three are accessible to the public. These zones are the base level which has an exhibition area, mezzanine, and roof. There’s also a memorial garden, museum, gallery, and a viewing area throughout the public zones.
To compare the biggest statue in the world with one of the more notable statues in America, the Statue of Liberty is only 305 feet tall, including a 154 base, while the Statue of Unity is over twice that height, at 790 feet tall including a 190 feet base.
