23 Creepy Colossal Monuments That Put Humanity In Perspective

6. The Virgin of El Panecillo – Ecuador’s Winged Madonna

Perched atop El Panecillo hill in the heart of Quito, Ecuador, the Virgin of El Panecillo is one of the most breathtaking and unique depictions of the Madonna in the world. Towering 45 meters (148 feet) tall, this gleaming aluminum statue is not only one of the tallest sculptures in South America but also one of the few representations of the Virgin Mary with angelic wings—a striking departure from traditional depictions. Constructed in 1976 by Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras, the monument was inspired by a 1734 wooden sculpture crafted by Bernardo de Legarda, an artist from Ecuador's famed Quito School of Art. The location of the statue is just as significant as the figure itself. El Panecillo, which translates to “The Little Loaf”, is a natural hill rising 200 meters (656 feet) above the city, providing a stunning panoramic view of Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this vantage point, visitors can take in the breathtaking sight of Quito’s colonial-era churches, cobbled streets, and surrounding Andean peaks.