Impressive European Statues

Angry Boy, in Oslo, Norway, is located in Vigeland Sculpture Park. It’s the creation of the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. This sculpture stands out among others, depicting a young boy in distress, capturing the intensity of his emotions as he throws a tantrum. He is frozen in motion with one foot lifted and his fists clenched and appears in an intense moment of rage.

Michelangelo’s David sculpture was created over 600 years ago. It is still one of the most famous in the world that tourists flock to see. The statue is of the Biblical figure David portrayed as defeating the tyrant Goliath with a slingshot. The statue has several interpretations, but the originals can be seen at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy. It was created using white Carrara marble.

The Fountain of Neptune is located at the Piazza del Nettuno in Bologna, Italy, and is among the most recognized landmarks in Europe. It was commissioned in 1559 by Cosimo I de Medici. The fountain features a striking statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, standing atop a large basin surrounded by various allegorical figures and sea creatures crafted from imported Verona marble. The stunning fountain features four female depictions, each with water shooting from their breasts. The base is adorned with carved pontifical symbols and cherubs, each holding a dolphin—representing one of the world’s major rivers.

The Head of Franz Kafka is located outside the Quadrio Shopping and Business Center at Charvatova, 110 00 Nove Mesto, Czechia. It is one of the most fascinating statues in Prague, Czech Republic. The sculpture was created by Czech sculptor David Cerny. It represents the head of the well-known Bohemian author Franz Kafka. It is a kinetic sculpture with 42 stacked panels that continuously twist and rotate.

The Kelpies are a pair of monumental steel horse heads located between the Scottish towns of Falkirk and Grangemouth. The sculpture stands next to the M9 motorway. They form the eastern gateway of the Forth and Clyde Canals, meeting up with the River Carron .These were sculpted by the Scottish sculptor Andy Scott and completed in 2013. Surrounding them is parkland known as The Helix.

The Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland, is an impressive bridge and a statue. This monument is a tribute to the Swiss guards who sacrificed their lives during the French Revolution of 1792. The brave soldiers were defending the Tuileries Palace in Paris and the royal family. In the ensuing assault, 760 soldiers lost their lives, while others succumbed to injuries or perished in captivity. The Lion Monument was created by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved by stonemason Lukas Ahorn.

It is part of the Chapel Bridge. This iconic wooden bridge features a series of paintings and is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.

The Little Mermaid is among the most recognizable statues in Europe. She sits upon a rock looking out over the Langelinie Cruise Harbor. Her character was brought to life by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. She is visited by many tourists in Copenhagen, Denmark. The son of the owner of Carlsberg Breweries provided both financial support and the commission for the sculpture’s creation.

Maman is a most unusual sculpture in Bilbao, Spain, created by the French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. It depicts a huge spider carrying eggs on its back. The sculpture, which demonstrates how a mother gracefully cares for her eggs, has garnered a lot of compliments from onlookers who say it exudes sweetness and ferocity. There are many different versions of Maman, some of which can be seen in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Tate Modern in London, England, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium, can be seen at the intersection of Rue du Chêne and Rue de l’Étuve. The statue of the pissing boy stands at 61 centimeters high. It is by the Grand Palace of Brussels. A delightful tradition has been established to adorn the statues with various costumes commemorating significant events. At present the collection includes more than 800 outfits.

The Santuario de Cristo Rei/the Sanctuary of Christ the King is located in Almada, Portugal. It was modeled after the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It stands ar 92 meters tall on a platform that is 79 meters high. From the platform, you can get impressive views of the Tagus River and Lisbon City.

The Sibelius Monument is located in Sibelius Park, in the district of Toolo, Helsinki, Finland. (pictured above) The sculpture was created by the Finnish artist Eila Hiltunen. It was revealed in 1967 and is a large statue comprised of 600 acid-resistant steel pipes. It is a tribute to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Replicas of this monument are at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, and at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

The Sun Voyager sculpture is found along the Saebraut Road in Reykjavik, Iceland. It is among the most iconic landmarks in the country. Construction began on it in 1986 as a tribute to the city’s bicentennial celebrations. It is the creation of the Icelandic sculptor Jon Gunnar Arnason. It is an homage to the sun.

The Thinker can be seen at the Rodin Museum in Paris, France. The large statue depicts a nude man in a contemplative posture while seated. It is among the most recognized artworks of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The statue was originally named The Poet.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, is one of the most well-known landmarks in Rome but also among the most visited sculptures in all of Europe. It is comprised of three primary statues—Oceanus, Abundance, and Health. Oceanus takes up the primary position in the middle. The fountain was designed by the Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. It is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome.