7 most controversial statues in the world

From towering heroes to figures of conquest, statues are meant to celebrate the legacy of a person, however sometimes, they spark a fierce debate. Across the globe, certain statues have ignited fury and disapproval of many people, either because of what they represent or because of being a disputed figure. Today, you will find statues at every corner of the world. But when we talk about these disputed statues, it prompts us to ask ourselves some uncomfortable questions- Whose story deserves to be told? And who decides? In this article we will look at some of the most controversial statues in the world that have divided public opinion.

Standing, 52 m tall, Nelson’s Column is a popular tourist attraction in London. The column features a man on top. This was constructed in 1843, and was built as a tribute to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar. While his bravery in the war is commendable, there is another aspect of his character that does not go well with a lot of people. Nelson opposed the abolition of slavery and was a staunch supporter of British imperialism. As awareness spread, the statue has faced calls of reinterpretation and removal. For some people this statue represents an era of exploitation and oppression, making it a controversial monument.

The statue of Captain James Cook in Sydney's Hyde Park is the topic of heated debates amongst people, with some viewing the statue as a symbol of Australia's colonial history. The statue's plaque says Cook "discovered this territory" in 1770, however the truth is that Cook's party actually landed at Botany Bay, several miles away. This inscription is a huge disrespect to Indigenous Australians, who had already lived in the area for 60,000 years.

Nujoma, was the first president of independent Namibia and is remembered for his contributions in Namibia’s independence from South African rule. But his long presidential tenure was full of moments of alleged authoritarianism, lack of press freedom, and intolerance toward political opposition. Further this statue was built by a North Korean company, despite UN sanctions against North Korea.Image Credit: iStock

The statue of Rhodes, who was the Former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, is located on the High Street at Oriel College, where Rhodes was a student. However, the statue is considered inappropriate as Rhodes was known to be a white supremacist. One of his statues was already removed which stood outside the University of Cape Town.Image Credit: iStock

The Monument of the African Renaissance in Dakar, Senegal, is considered highly controversial for many reasons. The monument features a bronze statue of a man, woman and child. Commissioned by then-President Abdoulaye Wade, the towering statue was built to symbolize Africa's progress and unity. However, when the statue was built the country was facing an economic crisis, and spending $27 million was not the best decision. Furthermore, this soviet- inspired statue irked the Muslim community who didn’t like the woman’s revealing attire, making it culturally inappropriate.Image Credit: iStock

Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin has many statues and monuments dedicated to him. However, his rule was marked with death, crimes, authoritarianism, repression and war. Millions of people died as a result of his repression, including those who died of starvation after he collectivized the farms.

The Statue of the Fallen Angel in Madrid, Spain is controversial becauseit is the only public monument dedicated to the devil in a country that was once known for the Spanish Inquisition.

Image Credit: iStock