Bronze Hercules, Peace Dude
Clearwater, Florida
Sculpted by Gines Serran, this big bronze nearly-nude dude is officially named "The Union of the World: Monument to World Peace." It's also known as the "largest bronze sculpture of classical mythology in the world," as it stands 26 feet tall and weighs nearly nine tons. At the time of its dedication in 2010, Serran told reporters that his Hercules would become as iconic as the Statue of Liberty, and that it was the biggest bronze sculpture since the Colossus of Rhodes was destroyed in 226 BC.
Hercules stands between two tilting classical columns, but instead of pushing them apart (like Samson) he's pulling them together. This symbolizes peace, according the Serran, although to the casual visitor it still looks like Hercules is wreaking havoc.
The statue was paid for by Evangeline Gouletas, a superrich real estate developer and former First Lady of the State of New York. At its dedication, the mayor of Miami gave Serran a key to the city. But then Evangeline ran into money problems, and the statue was dismantled in 2015. Another rich woman bought it, moved it, and erected it outside her jewelry store in Clearwater in June 2016.