Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A Christian organization in Spain has announced plans to build what could become the world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ, surpassing Brazil’s iconic ‘Christ the Redeemer’.
The ambitious project is being led by the Asociación de Devotos del Corazón de Jesús de Boadilla (Association of Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Boadilla), a religious group based in Boadilla del Monte, near Madrid.
The statue, dubbed the ‘Sacred Heart’, is expected to cost €17 million (about $18 million) and reach 37 meters (121 feet) in height with a wingspan of 60 meters (197 feet). The structure will also feature a 2.5-meter (8-foot) tabernacle heart at its center.
According to The Independent, the torso and head of the statue will be constructed from reinforced concrete, while the arms will be crafted from carbon fiber. Spanish sculptor Javier Viver, known for his religious artworks, has been tapped to design the monument.
If completed, the statue would surpass Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer, which stands 30 meters tall (not including its pedestal), and also exceed the current tallest statue of Christ ‘Christ the King’ in Świebodzin, Poland which measuring 33 meters in height.
Read Also:
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Japan, Killing Five and Hospitalizing Hundreds
However, the project has sparked backlash from some residents and politicians, particularly amid Spain’s ongoing housing crisis. Critics argue that dedicating public land to such a costly monument is irresponsible.
“Given the price of housing in Boadilla, it doesn’t make sense to allocate land to this,” said Alessandra del Mónaco, head of the local Socialist Party, who criticized the conservative Popular Party for approving the land use without proper feasibility assessments.
The association defended the statue, stating it is “neither a luxury nor a mere ornament,” but rather “a bold call to hope in a time marked by disappointment and polarization.” They also described it as “a beacon of reconciliation and a symbol of love,” with 10% of the project’s cost earmarked for charitable work.
Funding is expected to come from global donations, and the group has already raised over €94,000 (about $100,000). They aim to secure at least €5 million ($5.3 million) soon to begin construction, with plans to complete and open the statue to the public by June 2030, three years after construction begins.
The group claims the monument reflects public demand and notes that the proposal was unanimously approved during a town hall meeting on November 15, 2019. Once built, the Jesus statue is intended to become a major global pilgrimage site in Spain.
(Raidi/Agung)
