The Motherland Calls, Volgograd, Russia

The Motherland Calls, was the worlds tallest statue in 1967, When it was dedicated, And still the tallest statue of a woman.

The Motherland Calls is the compositional centre of the monument-ensemble "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia. The statue is designed in the Soviet style of socialist realism. It was designed by sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich and structural engineer Nikolai Nikitin, and declared the tallest statue in the world in 1967. At 85 m (279 ft), it is the tallest statue in Europe, the tallest in the eastern hemisphere outside of Asia and the tallest statue (excluding pedestals) of a woman in the world.

When the memorial was dedicated in 1967, it was the tallest statue in the world, measuring 85 m (279 ft) from the tip of its sword to the top of the plinth. The plinth measures another 2 m (6.6 ft), and is installed on a concrete foundation, with a depth of 16 m (52 ft). The figure measures 52 m (171 ft), and the sword 33 m (108 ft). The monument weighs over 8,000 tonnes. The statue contains 5,500 tonnes (6,100 short tons) of concrete and 2,400 tonnes (2,600 short tons) of metal structures, and the sword itself weighs 14 tonnes (15 short tons). The rigidity of the frame, is supported by 99 metal cables, constantly in tension.

Two hundred steps, symbolizing the 200 days of the Battle of Stalingrad, lead from the bottom of the hill, to the monument. The statue appears on both the current flag, and coat of arms of Volgograd Oblast.

Marshal of the Soviet Union Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov, is buried in the area of the monument, as is famous Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsev, who killed 225 soldiers and officers of the German army, and their allies in the battle of Stalingrad.