Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in Polish village
A 55.6-metre statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the tallest in Europe, has been unveiled in the Polish village of Konotopie. The ceremony drew hundreds of attendees, including former president Lech Walesa.
A towering new statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in the small Polish village of Konotopie, standing 55.6 metres tall and believed to be the tallest monument of its kind in Europe. Hundreds of people gathered for the occasion.
The unveiling ceremony included a Catholic Mass and traditional Polish music, while helicopters scattered red rose petals over the crowd below.
Notable attendee
Former Polish president and former Solidarity movement leader Lech Walesa was among those present. He remarked that the statue's completion represented the end of a personal journey rooted in his Catholic faith.
Who built it
The monument was commissioned by a local couple, Roman and Grażyna Karkosik, who described it as an expression of gratitude to God.
Local officials say they hope the statue will draw both religious pilgrims and tourists to the area.
