A massive statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be Europe’s tallest, was inaugurated on Saturday in the small Polish village of Konotopie. The monument, financed by one of Poland’s richest businesspeople, Roman Karkosik, towers 55.6 meters over the village, which is home to fewer than 150 people.
A Symbol of Faith
The statue’s height includes a crown-shaped 15-meter pedestal, making it taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The monument is an expression of the Karkosik family’s gratitude to God, following an illness that Roman Karkosik suffered.
The influence of religion in public life has gradually declined in recent years, particularly among younger people and in urban areas. However, the Catholic church remains influential, especially in rural communities and among older generations. The vast majority of Poles identify as Catholic, and the Catholic church played a powerful role in public life after the fall of communism in 1989.
Local authorities hope the monument will become both a major pilgrimage site and a tourist destination. The statue features a viewing platform built inside its pedestal, offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
