Statues are the utmost display of architectural talent since the time familiar or unknown. These remarkable pieces of artwork ranging from antique, medieval, or contemporary times, subtly demonstrate the pinnacle of each period. Whether it’s the cave-carved creations from ancient eras or some of the most remarkable yet immense monolithic pieces from medieval times, these renowned statues in the world have captivated tourists and archaeologists the most. Additionally, these statues have garnered their fair share of recognition over time.
17 Renowned Statues Around the Globe
Each and every one of these statues is unique and awe-inspiring, and they accurately symbolize their current locations. All of them should be on your must-visit list soon! Here are the 13 renowned statues around the world today.
- Freedom Goddess, New York
- Christ The Savior, Rio De Janeiro
- Stone Heads, Easter Island, Chile
- Petite Siren, Denmark
- The Ponderer, Paris
- Statue of David, Italy
- Terrace Of The Lions, Delos, Greece
- Mount Nemrut Statues, Turkey
- Motherland Calls Sculpture, Russia
- Unity Statue, India
- The Little Boy Urinating, Belgium
- Great Sphinx Of Giza, Egypt
- Buddha of the Spring Temple, China
1. Freedom Goddess, New York
Recognized as one of the popular sculptures and renowned statues across the globe, the Statue of Liberty was given as a gift to the United States by the people of France. Since 1886, the statue has been in the possession of the United States and it now stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy. The statue’s copper torch was subsequently replaced with a 24-carat gold torch, which is clearly visible from a distance.
Date of Establishment: 1886Most notable features of Freedom Goddess: Weighs 225 tons, stands at a height of 305 feet and 6 inches, has 154 steps from the head to the pedestal, and the tablet bears the inscription JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776)How to reach the Freedom Goddess: Take a ferry from Battery Park NY or Liberty State Park to reach the statue directly.
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2. Christ The Savior, Rio De Janeiro
Very famous as one of the renowned sculptures in the world, Christ The Savior is composed of cement and soapstone, which was constructed from 1922 to 1931 in Rio De Janeiro. The sculpture rests on top of Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, and presently, it is one of the prominent attractions in Brazil as well as South America.
Constructed in: 1931Most popular characteristics of Christ The Savior: 30 meters tall excluding the 8-meter pedestal, 28 meters arm span, and 635 metric tons weightHow to reach Christ The Savior: Take a train directly from Cosme Velho in Rio De Janeiro to the Christ The Savior. The train journey is also considered the most picturesque of all the modes of transportation to reach the sculpture.
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3. Moai, Easter Island, Chile
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Easter Island Heads, widely known as Moai, is another peculiar yet most renowned sculpture globally. It has also been argued that most of these sculptures have bodies interred beneath the ground, which speaks volumes about the ancient Easter Island civilization. The most fascinating aspect of these sculptures is their intricate design and how people from that era carved monolithic artworks. Numerous statues with heads emerging from the land can be spotted on the island, adding to their charm amidst the endless grasslands.
Initially settled: UnclearMost popular characteristics of Moai: Nearly 1000 sculptures dating back to the period between 1,100 and 1,500 ADHow to reach Moai: Fly to Rapa Nui from Santiago, Chile. Santiago has excellent connectivity with major airports worldwide.
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4. Little Mermaid, Denmark
The bronze sculpture is situated on a boulder near the waterfront at Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark. The statue is an exquisite work of art created by Edvard Eriksen and is another well-known sculpture in the world that should be visited.
Date of unveiling: 1913Most popular characteristics of Little Mermaid: The statue is 1.25 m in height and weighs 175 kg.How to get to Little Mermaid: Little Mermaid can be easily accessed from central Copenhagen. The statue is situated on a rock in a harbor to the north of Copenhagen’s old town. It is easily reachable by foot or public transportation from other parts of the country.
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5. The Philosopher, Paris
Among all the famous sculptures worldwide, The Philosopher is a bronze statue created by Auguste Rodin, placed on a stone base. The artwork depicts a naked male figure of larger than life size sitting on a rock with his jaw resting on one hand. The statue is surrounded by an extensive garden and a museum. Spending a day here with family is the most suitable activity. The statue is located in the city center, so it is not difficult to reach.
First exhibited: 1904
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6. Sculpture of David, Italy
Out of all the masterpieces of the Renaissance period, David by Michaelangelo is one of the most exceptional creations ever. Carved from marble, this unclothed sculpture in Italy, situated in Firenze, is undoubtedly one of the renowned sculptures worldwide, attracting a large number of tourists each year. Today, Michaelangelo’s statue represents Italy as one of the prime destinations exhibiting Renaissance art.
Date of unveiling: 1504Most popular characteristics of the Statue of David: The statue, standing at 5.17 m tall, was sculpted by Michelangelo between 1501-04How to reach the Statue of David: The most convenient way to reach the museum where the Statue of David is located is by train. Santa Maria Novella is the station in Florence, which is situated in the city center.
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7. Terrace Of The Lions, Delos, Greece
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Renowned for being the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis, the Patio of the Lions is an extraordinary archaeological site on Delos Island. Going back to ancient times, this is one of the well-known sculptures in the world that you should explore on your upcoming journey to Greece. The Patio of the Lions is a series of 12 stone felines positioned in the precise location that are believed to be constructed by individuals from Naxos in tribute to Apollo.
Some of the statues have endured over the years due to climatic variations. Currently, the actual feline depictions have been relocated to the nearby museum to prevent any further damage or destruction to them.
Established in: Prior to 600 BCEMost popular characteristics of the Patio of the Lions: Reproduction of marble depictions of lions, up to 16, from 600 BC stand in a sequence.How to reach the Patio of the Lions: A ferry operates from Mikonos to Delos. Keep in mind that Delos, being an archaeological site, does not have accommodations. Make sure that your visit is a day trip.
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8. The Sculptures Of Mount Nemrut, Turkey
Among all the popular attractions that can be found in the Turkish Mountains, The Sculptures of Mount Nemrut is the most prominent. At 7000 feet, Mt. Nemrut – the seat of Gods, is a breathtaking marvel situated in Turkish mountains that existed for more than 2000 years. Mount Nemrut is a historical site that houses some of the most
On the mountain top, there are numerous statues of Greek and Persian deities. Despite their immense size, these statues are intricately carved and are considered the most significant monument of the Kingdom of Commagene. Over time, the sculptures have been harmed, thus the government has declared it as a protected area since 1987.
Most popular characteristics of The Sculptures of Mount Nemrut: A UNESCO World Heritage site, in 1988 Mt. Nemrut was affirmed as a National ParkHow to reach The Sculptures of Mount Nemrut: Reach Adiyaman, (or Gaziantep or Urfa) from Istanbul by air. Adiyaman is the nearest to Nemrut. Take a Khata tour which is a 45-minute journey from Adiyaman. Minibusses to Adiyaman are also available from Urfa as well as Gaziantep. The journey takes 2-3 hours to complete.
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9. The Statue of the Motherland, Russia
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This colossal statue in Russia was constructed in tribute to The Battle of Stalingrad. It stands on the shore of the Volga River and is 85 meters tall. It is erected on Mamayev Hill where a memorial exists in remembrance of the heroes of the battle. It serves as an inspiration to numerous sculptors worldwide due to its unconventional structure challenging the principles of geometry. It depicts a woman (Motherland) striding with a raised sword, urging her sons to rise up for the battle. Visitors must climb 200 steps to reach the statue, symbolizing the 200 days of the battle. The statue has reportedly slightly tilted due to the movement of groundwater, which in turn affects the foundation.
Completed in: 1967Location: Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd, Russia.Timings: 12:00 to 24:00
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10. The Statue of Unity, India
This 182 meters tall Bronze statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel is the tallest statue in the entire world. Celebrated as the architect of modern India who unified 562 Princely States to form the Republic of India, Sardar Vallabhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister of independent India. He is affectionately known as ‘the Iron Man of India’ as he dedicated himself to the welfare of farmers.
This immense statue is situated on an island near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat, overlooking the Narmada river. At the base of the statue, there is a museum that showcases the lifelong accomplishments of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. At a height of 150 meters, a viewing gallery has been constructed, capable of accommodating 200 people at a time. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the surrounding area from this vantage point.
Finished in: 2018How To Get There: Arrive at Sadhu Bet, Rajpipla, Gujarat by catching a bus from the capital, Gandhinagar.Admission Fee: INR 350 per personHours: 8:00 to 18:00
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11. The Manneken Pis, Belgium
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Manneken Pis is a bronze fountain statue of a baby boy urinating into a water basin and undeniably one of the renowned statues in the world. This 61 cm statue remains the symbol of the rebellious attitude of Brussels. It was mounted in the 17th Century and is a highly frequented place in Belgium. It has played a significant role in the distribution of drinking water in Brussels. Occasionally, it is delightful to observe the Manneken Pis attired in various outfits on important occasions. Travelers can find a variety of tourist stores and stands selling waffles around this intersection.
Finished in: 1618 or 1619Site: Intersection of Ryu de l’E yuv and Rue du Chene
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12. Great Sphinx Of Giza, Egypt
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One of the most renowned statues in the world, Great Sphinx of Giza, is an enormous masterpiece that portrays a human head placed on a massive lion body, all constructed from limestone. Observe it during sunset when the sky takes on an orange hue with golden sun rays scattered over the majestic statue. Combine it with the grand Pyramids in the background and there you have it, one of the most lavish evenings ever!
Constructed in: Approximately 2500 BCMain highlights of The Great Sphinx Of Giza: Carved from the natural rock of the Giza plateau, Sphinx is a 73 m X 20 m single crest of limestone, one of the largest single-stone statues in the world, since 1905 people got to see the complete body of the Sphinx, which was buried in sand prior.How to get to The Great Sphinx Of Giza: Take a bus/cab from Midan Tahrir to the Pyramids. Midan Tahrir is Cairo’s public square in the city center, which also serves as the city’s transportation hub. Upon arriving here, you can opt for a camel or horse ride to reach the Sphinx and Pyramids.
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13. Spring Temple Buddha, China
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At a height of 128 m, Spring Temple Buddha stands as the tallest statue in the world. It took 11 years to complete this massive structure consisting of 1100 copper casts. The statue standing on a 20 m tall lotus throne is located in Henan province in China. The spring next to the temple gives it its name. Such is the charm of this statue that it would leave you mesmerized for sure.
Built in: Between 1997 and 2008Most popular features of Spring Temple Buddha: The lotus-shaped base also includes a monastery.How to reach Spring Temple Buddha: Lushan is the nearest town to Spring Temple Buddha. Buses operate from Lushan to the Buddha statue. Since there are no airports nearby, it’s preferable to take a train from a nearby popular city. If you don’t speak Chinese, it’s best to purchase a ticket online as a language barrier can lead to significant confusion at times.
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14. The Pieta, Tuscany
Image Credit: Mariordo for Wikimedia
One of the oldest and largest statues in the world is The Pieta located in Italy. Every year thousands of tourists come to visit this masterpiece which is renowned for its distinctive architecture and culture. The statue portrays mother Mary holding Jesus after the crucifixion.
Established In: In 2500 BCMost Popular features of The Pieta, Tuscany: Carved out of stone, unique architecture depicting a heartrending scene
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15. The Terracotta Army, Xian
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One of the world-renowned statues is none other than The Terracotta Army located in China, which is sculpted out of Terracotta clay. Legends state that more than 700,000 laborers worked day and night to construct this masterpiece, which is an army in which every soldier showcases a distinct facial expression.
Established In: 246- 208 BCMost popular features of The Terracotta Army, Xian: Chromium coating on each soldier wielding a bronze weapon, renowned for its grandeur
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16. Olmec Colossal Heads, San Lorenzo
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Olmec Colossal Heads located in Mexico is truly one of the famous statues around the globe. The statue is sculpted out of massive basalt boulders, and the heads hold a enigmatic history. A total of 17 heads have been discovered to date, with each head displaying a unique expression.
Established In: 1200 BC to 1400 BCMost popular features of Olmec Colossal Heads, San Lorenzo: One of the most remarkable artifacts unearthed from the ancient world.
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17. The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan
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Located in Lushan, the Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the most renowned and tallest statues in China. It is believed to have been carved out of a cliff on Qifeng Peak and is considered the largest stone statue of Maitreya. The statue was constructed at the confluence of three rivers to calm the turbulence caused by falling stones in the river.
Established In: 8th century ADMost Popular features of The Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan: Built at the confluence of three rivers, largest stone statue of Maitreya
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Wherever these statues are situated, they have become prominent tourist attractions in their respective regions. Furthermore, there are plenty of other things to explore around them. Make sure to check them all off your bucket list this year so that you can witness more unique historical statues in the world with your loved ones in the upcoming year!
Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Statues In The World
Where is the largest statue in the world?
The Statue of Unity that portrays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of India, is the world’s tallest statue. It is situated in Gujrat, India and measures approximately 182 m in height.
Where is the tallest Buddha statue in the world?
The statue of Monywa Buddha in Myanmar is the biggest Buddha statue in the world.
Which is the smallest statue in the world?
‘Trust’ by Jonty Hurwitz used to be the smallest statue in the world before it was accidentally crushed by a photographer.
What is the height of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue?
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue measures around 182 meters.
Which is the second tallest statue in the world?
Spring Temple Buddha in China is the second tallest statue in the world. It measures approximately 153 meters.
