Artists are often motivated to create when they find something they are passionate about. As such, Jesus Christ and His followers have often been at the center of our world’s masterpieces, for who can inspire more admiration and love than Christ, our Redeemer? Some of the most well-known statues, Christ the Redeemer of Brazil and the Christus statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen, are cherished works of art that inspire countless faithful Christians. However, there are more statues than these. Read more to explore other magnificent sculptures of our beloved Savior.
Heart of Jesus
Harghita County, Romania
22 meters (72 feet)
Heart of Jesus is a statue unlike any other; constructed of metal and adorned with spikes, this statue of Christ has raised some controversy. Many locals dislike the statue because the space-age style, the large size, and the imported steel are alien and unwelcome in their quaint country town. Nonetheless, this statue has certainly gained attention, drawing in crowds from around the world. Heart of Jesus was commissioned by the owner of a local dairy farm who wanted to give back to his people and protect his farm, as well as the community, from floods. A central spiral staircase leads to the statue’s head, where tourists can look over the beautiful landscapes.
Christ of the Abyss
Mediterranean Sea, off San Fruttuoso
2.5 meters (8 feet)
This underwater statue is the first of three statues to be cast from the same mold. The original bronze statue was nestled in the Mediterranean Sea on the Italian coast in 1954, its triplets being placed at later dates in Grenada and Florida. The Italian Christ of the Abyss was placed near the spot where Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use scuba gear, died in 1947. The statue honors Gonzatti and all who have died at sea. The statue depicts Christ looking up, His hands outstretched, a symbol of hope, peace, and protection over all at sea. Christ of the Abyss is a popular diving attraction, accessible to curious scuba divers and adventurous swimmers.
Christ the King
Swiebodzin, Poland
33 meters (108 feet)
Local residents and private donors from around the world funded the five-year construction of this statue. The project was headed by retired local priest Sylwester Zawadzki. Since 2006, Christ the King has been the patron saint of the city of Świebodzin. There is some debate about whether this statue is the tallest Christ statue in the world; the statue’s representation of Christ Himself is about thirty-three meters high (symbolizing Jesus’s age at his death), but His crown of gold adds height. If you count the large artificial mound Christ sits on (which some do), the statue’s total height can be counted as about 52.5 meters (172 feet).
Christ of Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu, Vietnam
32 meters (105 feet)
Completed in 1994, this statue of Christ is one of the largest in Asia. Its unique art deco halo and the location’s stunning costal views give this statue a distinct and enchanting appeal. Christ of Vung Tàu, is a pilgrim destination for Christians across Vietnam, as well as for Christian vacationers. Even though only seven percent of Vietnam is Christian, this beautiful statue is one of the most beloved in the world. If visitors are willing to brave the extra 133 steps, they can climb the narrow spiral staircase inside the statue that leads to an outlook deck spanning across Christ’s shoulders.
Christ of the Knoll
Palencia, Spain
21 meters (70 feet)
This statue is known for its elongated form and haunted, hollow eyes. Legend has it that the artists were going to fill the eyes with ivory and marble, but funds ran short, so the sockets remained empty. To adapt to these circumstances, the eyes were economically created into windows. Knoll, a small hill or mound, refers to the fact that the statue is perched atop a building that sits at the pinnacle of a large hill. The building is a hermitage (secluded religious housing) and a small museum filled with both religious and secular statues, art, and artifacts.
Cristo de la Concordia
Cochabamba, Bolivia
40 meters (130 feet)
This statue was modeled after the famous statue in Brazil, Christ the Redeemer. Originally, the height of the statue was planned to be 33 meters (symbolizing the age at which Christ was crucified), but the statue’s “well-coiffed” hair makes it slightly taller than its brother in Rio. Locals claim that this additional height adds to the accuracy of the statue, as Christ died when he was a little past his thirty-third year of life. If the small pedestal underneath is counted toward its height, the statue is almost 7 meters above the original 33.