The 7 Tallest Statues in the USA
We have all heard stories about ancient monuments that shook the very foundation of mankind but can we think of a few modern ones doing the same? Well, let’s just say that there are several around the world that can be called majestic. For this particular article, we are only going to look at the most grandiose statues of the United States of America. Let’s see if you know them all.
7. United States Marine Corps War Memorial:
Located in Arlington County, Virginia, the United States Marine Corps War Memorial (also known as Iwo Jima Memorial) was created by Austrian-born sculptor Felix de Weldon in 1954. Soaring at a height of 20.7 metres, the memorial is dedicated to the men of the US Marine Corps who have died since 1775. The monument has two main inscriptions – one on front side and another one on the rear. The former says “Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue” – “Semper Fidelis” whilst the latter reads as follows: “In Honor And Memory Of The Men Of The United States Marine Corps Who Have Given Their Lives To Their Country Since 10 November 1775”.
6. Tuong Phat Quan Am:
Next up, we have the famous Buddha Statue of Avalokitesvara built in 1998. Located within the bounds of the Texan city of Sugar Land (directly adjacent to Houston), the statue reaches a height of 22 metres. Created by sculptor Mai Chi Kim, the monument illustrates the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in female form standing upon a lotus pedestal. What’s interesting about it is that it benevolently overlooks a moody red bridge and a small pond.
5. Golden Driller:
Oklahoma enters the race with its ambitions Golden Driller statue located at the Tulsa Expo Center in the city of Tulsa. Made of cast concrete and plaster, the mighty depiction of an oil worker soars at a height of 23 metres. Completed in 1953, the statue weighs a massive 19.7 tonnes. Originally built by the Mid-Continent Supply Company of Fort Worth for the International Petroleum Exposition, the monument has since become a popular landmark of the city.
4. Our Lady of the Rockies:
Whenever you hear the term “Our Lady”, you already know who the world is talking about: Holy Mary. Well, this particular megasculpture was built between the years 1979 and 1985 and it reaches an ambitious height of 27 metres. Resting atop the Continental Divide overlooking Butte of the US state of Montana, the statue was built by countless volunteers. These people used donated materials and dedicated the monument to women all around the world, especially mothers.
3. Pegasus and Dragon:
Now this is a monument that you are not going to forget anytime soon. Soaring at 33.5 metres, the statue depicts Pegasus (the Greek mythological winged horse sired by Poseidon) as he defeats a dragon. Located in Gulfstream Park at Hallandale Beach, Florida, the statue is surrounded by a vibrant recreational area. The local natural surroundings and the fountains are ideal for any visitor to bask in. What’s interesting about the monument itself is that the Pegasus depiction is made of 330 tonnes of steel and 132 tonnes of bronze whilst the dragon is comprised of 110 tonnes of steel and 132 tonnes of bronze. Pegasus is a lot stronger, you know (wink)!
2. The Statue of Liberty:
Who hasn’t heard of this one? That’s right, no readers raising their hands! Just kidding. New York City’s Statue of Liberty was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by the renowned Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (his name suggests the other majestic structure that he has built – the Eiffel Tower). Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the statue receives over 3.2 million visitors each year (Liberty Island is easily accessible via ferries). Soaring at an imposing height of 93 metres, the statue is made of cast copper (wound around a solid metal armature). Bearing its iconic torch and a tabula ansata (a stone tablet evoking the authority of the law) with the date 4 July 1776 carved upon it (the day of the American Declaration of Independence), the Statue of Liberty represents Libertas (the Roman goddess of liberty). There is a minor spoiler that we must insert here. This is, in fact, the tallest statue of mainland USA but we are going to include another one that still somewhat pertains to the country – one that is located just offshore in Puerto Rico. Since Puerto Rico legally resides in US territory, we decided to include their contestant as well.
1. Birth of the New World:
Also known as The Statue of Colón (La Estatua de Colón), Puerto Rico’s Birth of the New World is the uncontested winner of this competition. With a sky-piercing height of 110 metres, the monument is made entirely of bronze. Completed in 2016, the statue is located in the municipality of Arecibo. Designed by Georgian-Russian painter and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, the statue commemorates the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage. Outrunning and outgunning all previous contestants from the mainland of the USA, Puerto Rico claims the first prize with dignity.
Did you enjoy our list? How many of the aforementioned monuments did you know and how many of them have you personally visited? Tell us all about your experiences in the comment section!
The 7 Tallest Statues in the USA was originally published on Freeminimaps - discover authentic experiences!
