In a project aiming to transform Boadilla del Monte into a global pilgrimage site, Spain is set to construct the world's largest statue of Jesus Christ by 2030. The Sacred Heart Project envisions a monumental statue measuring 37 meters in height and 60 meters in width, surpassing the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
The planned monument, officially titled "Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Boadilla," will be situated approximately 15 kilometers west of Madrid. The Association of Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Boadilla del Monte, the organization behind the project, aims to create a beacon of reconciliation and a symbol of love in a time marked by disappointment and polarization.
Construction is scheduled to commence in 2027. The approval was granted without opposition from any local political group, reflecting support within the municipal government.
The statue, designed by sculptor Javier Viver—known for his work with religious images—will be constructed using reinforced concrete for the body and head, while the arms will be made from carbon fiber. The design features open arms, simulating the act of embracing humanity, and will include a 2.5-meter moving heart at its center. Visitors will be able to enter the hollow interior of the monument, where they can experience this heart, intended as a space for reflection and spiritual unity.
The face of Jesus on the statue will be modeled based on the Shroud of Turin, making it the first large-scale sculpture to utilize this representation. The association explained that the statue will have numerous holes throughout the body and head to simulate both the crown of thorns and the scourge wounds suffered by Jesus. These holes will allow natural light to enter the interior, creating a constellation of luminaries inside the monument.
Funding for the Sacred Heart Project is set to come exclusively from private donations collected from individuals around the world. The total estimated cost is 17 million euros, with the organization currently in the first phase of fundraising. To date, over 90,000 euros have been raised through a crowdfunding campaign, primarily from donors in Mexico and Poland.
However, the project has not been without controversy. Some residents and local politicians have criticized the initiative for its extravagance amidst ongoing social issues. "Given the housing prices in Boadilla, it makes no sense to allocate available land for this," said Alessandra del Mónaco, a local politician who criticized the City Council for allocating land to the project. Critics on social media have described the monument as "a theme park and not a spiritual work," calling for funds to be redirected to hospitals, education, and social aid.
In response to these criticisms, the association stated, "We don't want it to be a luxury or an ornamental gesture, but an invitation to hope. A beacon of reconciliation for an accelerated and divided society." They emphasized the project's role in promoting cultural and religious identity, declaring that 10 percent of the funds raised would be designated for charitable purposes.
"Although the project requires a large investment, it aims to create a space that will attract many people and encourage a personal encounter with Jesus Christ," explained Ana María, a spokesperson for the Association of Devotees. She added, "As always in the hearts of Christians, this meeting will bring fruits in many charitable works, thanks to the generosity of the donors."
If the fundraising goals are met, the organization expects the monument to be completed and inaugurated by June 2030, after three years of construction. The statue is expected to become an international pilgrimage site for believers, boosting the cultural and spiritual importance of Boadilla del Monte.
Despite the challenges, the Association of Devotees remains committed to realizing the project. They highlighted that many residents have requested the construction of the statue in their municipality, reflecting community backing for the initiative. The planned construction site is located between the M-50 motorway, the Ciudad Financiera, and the M-501 road, positioned to be visible from various viewpoints.
Visitors entering the statue will experience an environment where natural light filters through the perforations representing Jesus's wounds, illuminating the interior like a constellation of stars. "Each morning, when the first rays of sun pass through the wound of his side and illuminate the heart, it will descend slowly to the ground by means of a pulley mechanism so that all can come close to touch it and worship it during the day," the association explained. "After, when night falls, the heart will return to its anatomical position and will be backlit and illuminated, through the holes, as if it were a constellation of stars."
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