Jesus Christ! That's huge

Polish town erects world's largest Christ statue; beats Rio's icon

Polish town erects world's largest Christ statue; beats Rio's icon

A huge statue of Jesus Christ was erected in a small Polish town, marking the end of a five-year project led by the local priest that has divided opinion throughout the country.

The effigy stands at a total of 51m (167ft). The statue itself is 33 m, one metre for every year that Jesus lived, according to creator Reverend Sylwester Zawadzki.

However, with its gold crown, the white landmark is 36m (118ft) tall, and if the mound it stands on is also taken into account, it measures 51m (167ft).

Standing tall: The statue took local priest Reverend Sylwester Zawadzki five years to complete. pic/AFP

Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, the previous record holder, stands at 39.6m (130ft). Zawadzki, the local priest in Swiebodzin, about 40 miles from the German border, said, "I have never been as happy as I am today.

This is the culmination of my life's work as a priest. I felt inspired to fulfill Jesus' will, and today I give thanks to him for allowing me to fulfill his will."

Construction of the statue was hampered by strong winds, an accident in which the head fell and crushed a builder's foot and the priest suffering a heart attack.

39.6m
The height of Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, the previous record holder