The Mother of All Asia – Tower of Peace, also known as the Statue of Mary, Mother of All Asia, is currently the tallest Catholic statue of the Virgin Mary in the world by height.
Located at the Montemaria International Pilgrimage and Conference Center in Barangay Pagkilatan, Batangas City, Philippines, the monument measures 98.15 meters (322 feet) from the ground to the tip of the cross on her crown. This total height includes the statue figure and its multi-level pedestal structure, making it equivalent in scale to a 33-story building.
Construction of the project began in 2014 and was completed in 2021. The statue was designed by the late Filipino national artist Eduardo Castrillo, with its inauguration held on December 7, 2021. It was developed as part of efforts to create a major pilgrimage site and stands on a plateau overlooking Batangas Bay and the Verde Island Passage.
Symbolically, the monument is dedicated to the Virgin Mary as a representation of unity and peace across Asia and beyond. Its design includes elements such as a crown with 12 stars (referencing the Apostles) and foundations evoking the 12 tribes of Israel. The site features chapels (including one dedicated to St. John Paul II), observation decks accessible by elevator or stairs, and panoramic views of the surrounding seascape.
The structure ranks among the world's tallest statues overall and surpasses the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 meters) and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. It is recognized as exceeding previous records for Marian statues, such as the Virgin of Peace monument in Venezuela.
The Montemaria shrine operates as a place for prayer, Masses, retreats, and pilgrimage, open daily to visitors.
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