The world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ was unveiled on Sunday in the town of Swiebodzin in western Poland, the TVN24 channel reported.
Thousands of Poles and foreign tourists attaned the opening ceremony, singing religious songs.
At 36 meters (118 ft), and 51 meters (167 ft) including the mound it stis on, the statue is taller than Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer. The body is 33 meters high, each meter symbolizing a year of Christ's life, and is topped by a three-meter crown.
The monument, called Christ the King, was built on private donations from the residents of Swiebodzin, whose population is about 21,000. It was designed by local priest Sylvester Zawadski.
The construction reportedly cost $1.5 million and took five years.
The project has split society in Poland, with supporters saying the statue will attract pilgrims to the city, and opponents insisting that the collosal monument has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
WARSAW, November 22 (RIA Novosti)
