A billionaire has ambitious plans for a small Polish village that will literally reach new heights. Construction workers are currently building what will become Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue in Konotopie, a picturesque village near the Polish city of Toruń, positioned between Gdansk and Warsaw. This monumental project aims to attract tourists while serving as an impressive symbol of faith.
The massive statue is being financed by Roman Karkosik, a prominent Polish entrepreneur and billionaire, along with a female partner. As one of Poland's wealthiest individuals, Karkosik is well-known for his numerous investments and commitment to regional development. His latest venture represents not only a symbolic act of faith but also an expression of personal gratitude.
The planned Virgin Mary statue will reach an impressive height of 55 meters, making it the tallest Marian monument in Europe. The statue itself will stand 40.6 meters tall, positioned on a 15-meter-high pedestal designed in the shape of a royal crown. The completion of this remarkable structure is scheduled for August 15, 2026, coinciding with the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary, a significant date in the Christian calendar.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the statue will offer a tourist attraction featuring an observation platform with breathtaking panoramic views over the wheat fields and surrounding Central Polish landscape. This platform will give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the region's natural beauty while appreciating the monument's massive presence.
Father Marek Mrówczyński from the adjacent parish emphasizes the project's importance, noting that the location is perfectly suitable and represents an expression of deeply rooted faith. "Everyone who comes here, whether believer or not, looks up to see our Holy Mother," he explained in an interview. The Karkosik family owns a 19th-century palace in the same municipality, and Roman Karkosik has been counted among Poland's richest individuals for years.
The Karkosik family holds the largest share of stock in Boryszew, a leading manufacturer of automotive industry components. The company previously operated a manufacturing facility in Prenzlau, Germany, in the Uckermark region, though Boryszew closed this location nearly a year ago.
When compared to other famous Christian statues, the Virgin Mary statue in Konotopie significantly surpasses them in impressive size. The famous Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro reaches a height of 30 meters (plus eight meters for its base), while the Christ the King statue in Świebodzin, approximately 80 kilometers east of Frankfurt (Oder), achieves a total height of 36 meters.
Project organizers plan for the Virgin Mary statue to become the largest in Europe, thereby surpassing the Mother of God sculpture near the small western French town of Miribel. Construction workers erected this French statue more than 80 years ago, and it measures 35 meters. However, the world's largest Virgin Mary figure has been the Montemaria statue on Luzon Island in the Philippines for the past few years, reaching a height of 96 meters.
The project is generating both national and international interest. The British Financial Times has described the construction project as an almost "pharaonic project," highlighting the overwhelming dimensions of the structure. Roman Karkosik and the Konotopie community hope that the statue will not only create a new symbol of faith but also boost tourism and strengthen the local economy. With the completion of this spectacular tribute to the Virgin Mary, Poland will enrich its impressive attractions with another significant highlight.
