136. The Esso Hibernia Tanker, Ca. 1970
Found In: Tyneside, U.K.
Est. Cost: $63.3 million to build, adjusting for inflation*
The Esso Hibernia dwarfed everything in its path when it was under construction in the U.K. The ship launched in 1970, and its launch was observed by 6,000 people. The Hibernia had a pretty long run, as she wasn’t scrapped until 1983.
The Esso Hibernia Tanker, Ca. 1970 @pssip/Twitter
That was one year longer than her sister ship, the Esso Northumbria. The Hibernia stretched almost 1,100 feet, and the 250,000-ton supertanker was the largest ship of its kind, at the time, to ever be constructed in England.
137. Kamenka’s Dragon Statue
Found In: Kamenka, Russia
Est. Cost: Unconfirmed
This gigantic, forty-nine-foot-tall sculpture is made from iron and concrete, and it actually breathes real fire. As it turns out, the dragon statue of Kamenka, Russia is part of a local theme park called Kuykina Gora.
Kamenka’s Dragon Statue @SQUNTO/Facebook | ©Pukhov K/Shutterstock
The three-headed dragon has quickly become one of the most famous things in the region, and it no doubt cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, to build. Ukrainian sculptor Vladimir Kolesnikov created this beautiful, impressive structure for all to see.
138. Giant Beetle Larvae
Found In: Asia
Est. Cost: $90,000 for an adult pair*
This sausage-sized insect is the larva of a Giant Beetle, and it is, as you can see, massive. It is also the stuff of horror movies, and, if you think this is freaky, you should see it when it reaches its full, spiky, horned form.
Giant Beetle Larvae @boredpanda/Pinterest
Dorcus hopei bidodulosus is often called the “black diamond” because of how expensive it is. According to Exotic Insect Shop, adult pairs have sold for as much as $90,000 at exotic pet auctions.
139. Five-Pound Lobster Claw Vs. Human Hand
Found In: The Bottom of the Ocean
Est. Cost: $8-$9 per pound*
Though we’re used to lobster portions as they are served in restaurants, a lot of us might not realize just how massive these sea creatures can get. Here is a lobster claw belonging to a massive crustacean.
Five-Pound Lobster Claw Vs. Human Hand @boredpanda/Pinterest
The claw alone weighs five pounds. Lobsters can grow as long as three feet in length, and it’s thought that they could attain a maximum age of a century. As far as their price goes, we all know how expensive lobster is, as it costs $8-$9 per pound.
140. The 1995 Kobe, Japan Earthquake
Found In: Kobe, Japan
Est. Cost: $100 billion in damages*
In 1995, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Kobe, Japan, causing $100 billion in damages. The scenes from the devastation were ethereal, with people walking among tipped-over bridges, flung cars, collapsed buildings, and more.
The 1995 Kobe, Japan Earthquake @r/DestructionPorn/Reddit
Thousands were killed and many more displaced and injured from the earthquake. It’s incredible to think the quake lasted just twenty seconds…and, yet, in that time, it was able to do insane amounts of damage that altered the lives of millions of people.
141. St. Peter’s Basilica
Found In: Vatican City, The Vatican
Est. Cost: $33 billion to build, adjusting for inflation*
Though free to visit, St. Peter’s Basilica cost billions to construct in 1506. It took more than a century to construct, finishing up in 1626. Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and more famous artists worked on this incredible Vatican City building.
St. Peter’s Basilica ©JWCohen/Shutterstock
St. Peter’s Basilica, built in a Renaissance style, was the site of the burials of Saint Peter, John Paul II, and more. Standing 448 feet high, the Basilica really is a testament to the miraculous things man can build over time.
142. A Gigantic Sheet of Ice Just Floating Away
Found In: Chicago, Illinois
Est. Cost: N/A
Covered by the local news, this photo wasn’t taken in Siberia or Norway—it was snapped in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago knows its way around a cold winter, and Lake Michigan almost always freezes over, creating a massive, miles-long sheet of ice.
A Gigantic Sheet of Ice Just Floating Away @boredpanda/Pinterest
In 2021, a miles-wide sheet of ice broke off, floating offshore through Lake Michigan. It being out in the open waters of the lake certainly gives cause for concern, especially to smaller boats that can’t handle that type of debris in the water.
143. The Leg of Myra the Emu
Found In: Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, Cedarville, New Jersey
Est. Cost: $0 to visit, but donations are appreciated*
Myra the Emu is a resident at Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in Cedarville, New Jersey, and she has more than sixty other farm rescues living with her. Myra is an adult emu, which means she weighs around eighty-two pounds.
The Leg of Myra the Emu @boredpanda/Pinterest
She’s also super-tall and can run, at a sprint, thirty-one miles per hour. Emus have a very powerful kick, but they really don’t attack unless they feel someone is threatening them or their offspring, which is unlikely at Myra’s sanctuary.
144. The Aerium
Found In: Berlin, Germany
Est. Cost: $100 million to revamp in 2000*
The Aerium is a gigantic airplane hangar near Berlin that was once built for the Luftwaffe. After Germany lost World War II, the Soviet Red Army took it over, using it for their purposes until their regime eventually collapsed.
The Aerium @boredpanda/Pinterest
Now, the hangar houses an indoor-ish water park. The transformation from an old airplane hangar into a usable building cost around $100 million, adjusting for inflation. For a day ticket to Tropical Islands, the Aerium’s water park, you’ll pay around $60 for a day ticket as an adult.
145. Gorilla Undergoing An Operation
Found In: Africa
Est. Cost: N/A
This photo is sure to make anyone uneasy who is a little scared of apes. This picture features an unconscious, sedated gorilla undergoing, what we’re sure, is a very important operation. Even lying down, it’s impossible not to notice this huge, muscular animal’s size.
Gorilla Undergoing An Operation @r/interestingasfuck/Reddit
Some species of gorilla can weigh as much as 500 pounds, and research has shown that a full-size gorilla can lift more than two-dozen times their body weight. For comparison, even the strongest human in the world can only lift as much as 885 pounds.
146. Emu Eggs Vs. Chicken Eggs
Found In: Australia (Native)
Est. Cost: $20-$35 per egg*
Emu eggs cost around $20 to $35, and they’re not too uncommon, as you can find them at farmers’ markets and even Whole Foods (sometimes). These massive eggs are in season from November to March, so they can be tricky to find.
Emu Eggs Vs. Chicken Eggs @boredpanda/Pinterest
They are gigantic, clearly dwarfing the chicken egg in this photo. According to those who have taste-tested an emu egg, the taste is a lot like a chicken egg, though it is creamier, particularly when scrambled.
147. The World’s Largest Hotel
Found In: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Est. Cost: $3.6 billion to build*
Abraj Kudai, when it finally opens, will cost $3.6 billion. Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Abraj Kudai is still partially-built, but we can all see how massive it will be already. Construction began years ago, but the hotel has gone through several delays.
The World’s Largest Hotel @Paktourntravel /Twitter
It is supposed to have 10,000 rooms, four helipads, seventy restaurants, and a host of other features. Abraj hopes to add to Saudi Arabia’s fame the way the Burj Khalifa has boosted Dubai’s status, but it still has yet to open.
148. This Spanish Poseidon Statue
Found In: Spain
Est. Cost: Unconfirmed
Neptuno de Melenara is a famous statue located off the waters of Melenara Beach on Gran Canaria. This statue honors Neptune, known in Greek mythology as Poseidon. It stands, ominously, in the waters, unbowed by any waves that strike it.
This Spanish Poseidon Statue @boredpanda/Pinterest
Created by artist Luis Arencibia, this statue stands over thirteen feet in height and, since it is made from bronze, it weighs hundreds of pounds. As you can imagine, Neptuno de Melenara is a very important historical and cultural site in the region.
225. The Goliath Birdeater Tarantula
Found In: South America
Est. Cost: $99*
If spiders give you the ick, we are already sorry for showing you this picture. The Goliath Birdeater Tarantula is the world’s most enormous spider and can grow up to 11 inches in size, weighing up to 6 ounces.
The Goliath Birdeater Tarantula @toomuchoversteer/Reddit.com
Despite its deadly name and colossal size, the spider is edible and is consumed in several South American cultures. Its venom is also not lethal for humans but can be dangerous to smaller insects.