The Most Epic Statues From Around the World
Public monuments are usually a reflection of what a culture chooses to remember, protect, or question. A figure placed underwater carries a different meaning than one towering above a city skyline. Some statues honor national sacrifice, while there are others that draw attention to environmental risks or explore private emotional tension.
These works show how sculpture can command physical space and influence public thought.
Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
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You may have seen Christ the Redeemer in photographs, travel documentaries, or even on postcards long before visiting Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the most recognized religious monuments in the world, instantly identifiable by its wide, outstretched arms. Since 1931, the statue has stood 98 feet tall, with a pedestal that brings its total height to 125 feet.
The Motherland Calls, Russia
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In Volgograd, a colossal female statue strides forward with a raised sword and an open mouth. Sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich completed The Motherland Calls in 1967 to commemorate the Battle of Stalingrad. Engineers faced serious structural challenges due to the dramatic pose and extended blade.
Ocean Atlas, Bahamas
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If you are diving near Nassau, you might encounter a young girl beneath the surface, carved in pH-neutral cement and set there in 2014. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor designed Ocean Atlas to serve as both a large-scale monument and a statement about environmental responsibility. At the time of its installation, it was the largest underwater statue in existence.
The Kiss of Death, Spain
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The Kiss of Death remains popular because of its direct portrayal of a final moment between life and death. Inside Poblenou Cemetery in Barcelona, you will see a winged skeleton leaning forward to kiss a young man’s forehead. The young man’s expression remains deliberately unclear to invite reflection on mortality and acceptance.
Jatayu Earth’s Center, India
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For those interested in birds and mythological storytelling, Jatayu Earth’s Center makes an especially interesting stop in Kerala. Set within a nature park, the massive bird stretches across the landscape in stone and steel, completed in 2018. The sculpture captures Jatayu, the heroic bird in the Ramayana, at a defining moment of sacrifice.
Guan Yu, China
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A nearly 190-foot statue of Guan Yu stands over the city of Jingzhou. It was built to honor the legendary general, who is remembered in Chinese history for his loyalty and sense of righteousness. The statue shows him in flowing robes, holding a massive weapon, a visual reminder of his identity as a warrior and military leader.
Apennine Colossus, Italy
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Back in the late 1500s, Giambologna set out to create a figure that appeared to rise organically from the hillside. He designed the Apennine Colossus at the Villa di Pratolino in Tuscany as a personification of the Apennine Mountains. Visitors can still enter chambers inside the structure, where shell mosaics and decorative elements remain on display.
Christ Of the Abyss, Italy
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Beneath the waters near San Fruttuoso, a bronze sculpture stands with arms raised in a gesture of blessing. Christ of the Abyss was put underwater in 1954 to honor sailors and promote peace. Divers travel specifically to visit the site.
Giant Hands, Italy
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This installation appeared in Venice in 2017 as a direct response to rising sea levels. Two enormous hands rose out of the Grand Canal and seemed to brace a historic building against collapse. The work was positioned in a way to physically interact with the city’s architecture.
Inner Child Trapped Inside, Hungary
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As you can imagine from the name, Inner Child Trapped Inside has to do with emotion. In Budapest, the piece presents a small child figure enclosed within the outline of an adult body. The contrast between the two forms suggests lingering memory and vulnerability carried into adulthood.