The Merlion is a statue that is more of a marketing icon, built in Singapore, in 1972. The statue signifies a ‘sea-lion’ and has half a body of a lion and half of a fish. Often used as a mascot and national representation for Singapore, the Merlion Statue measures 37 metres in height and is […]
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue built in the Sichuan Province, in China, between 713 and 803. Made of stone, the idea of the statue as initially conceived by a monk, who hoped that the Buddha would help calm the turbulent river flowing beneath it. 71 metres in height, the statue (the largest stone
The Guanyin is a Bodhisattva Avlokitesvara statue built in the Hainan province, in China, between 2000 and 2005. Standing on a golden lotus-shaped pedestal, the pristine white statue has three sides, one of which faces inland while the other two face towards the South China Sea indicating blessing for China and the entire world. All
The Valle de los Caidos is a monument built in Madrid, Spain, between 1940 and 1959. The Valle de los Caidos was built to honour those who fought in the Spanish Civil War, along with Spanish general Francisco Franco. The monument comprises a basilica, an a abbey, guesthouse, four cylindrical monoliths (from the 16th century)
The Big Buddha is a statue of the Buddha built in the Ang Thong province, in Thailand, between 1990 and 2008. Made entirely of concrete, the statue is painted gold. A 92-metre high statue of the Buddha in a seated posture of meditation, it is the tallest statue in Thailand and the ninth tallest statue
The Motherland Calls is the name of a statue in Volgograd, Russia, and was built in 1967. The statue is placed on a hill with 200 steps (signifying the 200 days of Battle of Stalingrad) leading to the statue. The figure of the statue measures 52 metres in height, while the entire statue is 85
The Batu caves are built in Selangor, Malaysia, in 1891. The cave site was promoted as a place of worship from 1890, when a consecrated statue of Lord Murugan was installed in the main cave. Comprising of a main ‘Temple Cave’ and two smaller caves, the entire complex, which is 100 metres above ground, also
The Ten Directions Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is a statue built on Mount Emei, in the Sichuan Province, China, in 2005. The Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is situated in front of the Golden Summit Temple. 48 metres in height, the statue is made from copper-casting and gold plating, and sits atop a white elephant with six tusks. Known for
The Spring Temple Buddha is a statue built in Henan, China between 1997 and 2008. The Statue depicts Vairocana Buddha standing on a lotus and is situated atop a Buddhist monastery. The statue consists of 1,100 pieces of copper cast. Not including the lotus stand, which is 20 metres in height, the statue alone is
The Monument of Zalongo, commonly known as the Women of Zalongo, was built in Greece in 1961. The monument represents the women of Souli who had committed mass suicide with their children so as to escape the men of Turk Ali Pasha. The monument is 13 metres in height and is made of concrete and
Statua della Liberta, meaning ‘Statue of Liberty’, was constructed in San Marino, Italy, in 1876. The Countess of Acquaviva donated the Statue to the Republic of San Marino. Made entirely of Carrera marble, the statue is built in a neoclassical style. The statue symbolizes ‘Freedom’ who is represented as a warrior with her right hand
The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman structure built in Anatolia, present-day Turkey, between 117 AD and 120 AD. Built in honour of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, a Roman Senator, the Library stored over 12,000 scrolls. Built on a 9-step platform, the library had three entrances leading into a single hall that faced east.
The Lotus Temple was built in New Delhi, India, in 1986. The Lotus Temple, a Baha’i House of Worship, is named so because of its unique lotus flower shape with 27 beautiful and perfect white marble freestanding petals. 9 pools of water that are lit at night surround the temple. 34.27 metres in height, the
Pyramide du Louvre or the Louvre Pyramid was built in the courtyard of the Louvre Palace, Paris, in 1989. The Louvre Pyramid is an iconic glass and metal pyramid standing 21.6 metres in height with three smaller pyramids surrounding the main pyramid. It was not only built for aesthetic purposes but also to solve the
The Minaret of Jam was built in Shahrak, Afghanistan, approximately in 1190. A graceful soaring structure, the Minaret of Jam is made entirely of baked bricks. It is known for its intricate brick, tile and stucco work. The minaret also has Kufic and Naskhi style of calligraphy with the verses of the Quran carved on