23 Creepy Colossal Monuments That Put Humanity In Perspective

Some monuments inspire awe—others unsettle. Scattered across the world, colossal statues and structures loom over landscapes, their sheer size and presence enough to make you feel tiny, powerless, and watched. Whether they were built to honor gods, rulers, or forgotten ideologies, many of these monuments have taken on an uncanny, almost otherworldly aura, standing as ghostly relics of human ambition and mystery. We've expanded our list to 23 eerie, enormous monuments that put humanity in perspective—statues that stare blankly over cities, abandoned colossi swallowed by time, and giant figures that seem to defy logic itself. Some are carved into mountains, others rise from empty plains, their cracked stone faces and lifeless eyes carrying secrets of lost civilizations and long-dead leaders. Whether they're forgotten, cursed, or simply too massive to ignore, these unsettling titans remind us of the fleeting nature of power and the eerie permanence of stone, metal, and forgotten faiths. Are you brave enough to stand beneath them?

1. The Laykyun Setkyar Buddha – Myanmar’s Towering Wonder

Hidden deep in the heart of Myanmar, the Laykyun Setkyar Buddha is a mesmerizing monument that rises an astonishing 116 meters (381 feet) into the sky, making it one of the tallest statues in the world. Located in the town of Monywa, this colossal golden figure of Buddha stands atop a 13.5-meter (44-foot) pedestal, giving it an even more commanding presence over the lush, green landscape. Unlike many massive statues that stand alone, Laykyun Setkyar is part of a larger spiritual complex, surrounded by hundreds of smaller Buddha figures, each carefully placed to create a tranquil, meditative atmosphere. At its feet, an immense reclining Buddha stretches out for nearly 91 meters (300 feet), symbolizing the Buddha’s final moments before attaining nirvana. This massive reclining form adds to the surreal beauty of the site, turning it into one of the most visually striking religious locations in the world. The construction of Laykyun Setkyar took over a decade, finally reaching completion in 2008, making it one of the more recent colossal monuments of devotion.