In the village of Konotop, located in the municipality of Kikół near Toruń, work has begun on the erection of an impressive structure, which will be a statue of the Virgin Mary. The monument, which will be 55.6 metres high, has a chance to become one of the most important religious symbols not only in Poland, but also in the world. The structure will surpass previously known statues of a sacred nature, such as Christ the Saviour in Rio de Janeiro or Jesus Christ King of the Universe in Świebodzin.
The statue of the Virgin Mary itself is to be 40.6 metres high and will sit on a 15-metre high pedestal in the shape of a crown. In addition to its architectural function, the base of the monument will serve as a viewing terrace. From this space, visitors will be able to admire the picturesque landscapes of Dobrinland. Grażyna and Roman Karkosik, a well-known philanthropist and entrepreneur couple in the region, are responsible for the project. As the initiators emphasise, the monument is intended as a votive offering.
The monument will be erected in the immediate vicinity of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, a place with a long religious tradition. There is a miraculous statue there, which for years has attracted pilgrims from all over Dobrinland. The building will therefore become a natural extension of the spiritual significance of the site, strengthening its role as a religious centre. The statue of the Virgin Mary under construction in Konotop will be significantly taller than existing buildings of this type. By comparison, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro measures 38.5 metres with the plinth, and the Jesus Christ statue in Świebodzin reaches 52.5 metres, including the mound.
The monument in Konotop, with a height of 55.6 metres, will thus become the largest object of its kind in the world, attracting the attention not only of the faithful, but also of tourists interested in sacred architecture. Construction of the monumental structure is expected to take around 18 months. Completion is scheduled for mid-2026. It is already generating a great deal of interest among the region’s residents and the media. It is expected that the monument will become an important point on the tourist and religious map of Poland.
Visualisations of the planned monument are presented in a video on the Virtual Toruń website.
Source: Wirtualny Toruń
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