Polish billionaire funds Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue

A 55‑metre concrete‑steel statue of the Virgin Mary, the tallest of its kind in Europe, is under construction near the village of Konotopie in Poland. The monument, second in height only to the 98‑metre statue of Mother Mary in the Philippines, is being built at a cost of roughly €23 million (about 100 million zł) and is financed by 75‑year‑old billionaire Roman Karkosik, founder and main shareholder of the industrial group Boryszew.

Construction began in March 2025 and the opening is planned for after a blessing on the Feast of the Assumption, 15 August. Despite the site remaining unfinished, with concrete blocks and construction debris still on the parking area, buses of visitors continue to arrive. Guard Andrzej noted, “Bila je postavljena skela i ništa se nije moglo vidjeti, ali autobusi puni posjetitelja svejedno su dolazili.” Visitor Marek Gizinski told AFP, “Ljudi ovamo dolaze u potrazi za vjerom,” describing the statue as “something monumental.”

Local residents are divided; some welcome the new pilgrimage destination, while others argue the funds could have been better spent on a hospital or orphanage. The project reflects Poland’s strong Catholic heritage, already anchored by major shrines such as the Black Madonna in Częstochowa, which draws 3.5‑5 million pilgrims each year.