Europe's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village

KONOTOPIE, Poland (AP) — An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe's tallest was inaugurated on Saturday in a small Polish village, in the presence of legendary anti-communist leader Lech Walesa.

A 55.6-metre Virgin Mary statue has been inaugurated in a small Polish village, with hundreds attending a ceremony featuring a Mass, traditional music and helicopters scattering rose petals.

There is a taller statue of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines, which measures some 98 metres (322 feet). But the new one in Poland is believed to be the largest of its kind in Europe.

An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe's tallest was inaugurated on Saturday in a small Polish village, financed by one of Poland's richest businesspeople.

The Catholic church played a powerful role in public life after the fall of communism in 1989

Europe’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village  Toronto Star

An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe’s tallest has been inaugurated in a small Polish village

An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe’s tallest has been inaugurated in a small Polish village

Europe’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village  AP News

The monument, which towers over the rural landscape at 55.6 metres tall, was funded by a wealthy local couple.