In a move that will raise eyebrows and stir strong reactions, a Polish billionaire is set to build a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, one that will dwarf Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer.
Roman Karkosik, one of Poland’s wealthiest men, and his wife, have announced plans to construct a massive 180-foot statue of the Virgin Mary near their hometown of Kikola, located close to Torun, Poland. The new statue, which will stand at an impressive 55 meters tall, is significantly larger than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer, which measures just 98 feet (30 meters), or Poland’s own Christ the King, which reaches 108 feet (33 meters).
A Grand Vision
Karkosik’s vision for the Virgin Mary monument is grander than anything Poland has seen before. The monument will feature a 50-foot crown and a statue of Mary herself, standing 131 feet tall. The figure of Mary will be depicted with her palms raised and her head slightly inclined, offering an almost divine serenity.
“The Virgin Mary represents hope and protection, a symbol of faith for all who visit,” said Karkosik. His intention, he explained, is to create a site that brings faith and culture together, welcoming visitors from all over the world. “It’s a tribute to my hometown of Kikola and a gift for Poland,” he added.
Approval and Beginnings
After receiving the green light for the project in October 2024, work has already begun at the construction site. Buildings are being demolished to make way for the statue, which will be surrounded by a viewing terrace offering panoramic views. “This is a monumental step for our town,” said Renata Golebiewska, Mayor of Kikola. “We hope it will become a place of pilgrimage and a global tourist destination.”
The project’s total cost remains undisclosed, but given Karkosik’s fortune—valued at $1.8 billion by Forbes in 2007—the billionaire businessman has the means to bring this vision to life. As the founder of Boryszew, a major industrial conglomerate, Karkosik has long been known for his philanthropic endeavors, but this monument is by far his most ambitious.
The statue is expected to be completed by 2026, though no exact date has been set for the unveiling.
Faith and Community Impact
The scale of this project is not just a testament to Karkosik’s wealth but also to his deep-rooted faith and pride in his community. “It’s about honoring our values, our history, and our traditions,” said Karkosik in a recent interview. “The Virgin Mary symbolizes strength and faith, and that is something we need now more than ever.”
Local residents are hopeful the statue will attract millions of tourists and become an iconic symbol of Poland’s Christian heritage. In a region where faith remains central to daily life, this monument will surely become a powerful landmark.
As global controversies swirl around monuments and their meanings, Karkosik’s Virgin Mary statue offers a refreshing statement of devotion. Will it become a beacon of faith, or will it spark a larger conversation about the role of religious monuments in the modern world? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned for more updates on this monumental project.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
There should not be a bigger statue of Mary than the one of Jesus Christ.
No matter… all religions are evil foreign psychotic warmongering mass murderous mental illness…
If the statue of Mary is larger than the so called Christ the Redeemer statues and that’s meant to convey that Mary is more significant to the Roman Catholic religion than Christ, at least I think that’s a more honest representation of their doctrine. Roman Catholics, I believe are “Maryians” (my words) and not Christians! They pray to, worship and adore Mary.
Catholics do not worship nor adore Mary but honor her as the mother of God. The size of a statue has nothing to do with worship or adoration.
Sent from my iPhone