Ever felt dwarfed by something truly majestic?
The Christ the Redeemer statue stands before you. It is an iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. This Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ is a powerful sight.
The idea for a Christian monument on Corcovado Mountain emerged in the 1850s. Priest Pedro Maria Boss wanted to honor Princess Isabel of Brazil. But the project never gained approval. In 1921, the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro proposed a statue of Christ. Its prominent location would make it visible from anywhere in Rio.
Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed Christ the Redeemer. He collaborated with French engineer Albert Caquot. French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski sculpted the head and hands. Romanian artist Gheorghe Leonida carved the face.
Construction began in 1922 and finished in 1931. The statue is 30 meters tall. Its arms stretch 28 meters wide. The base adds another 8 meters to its height. The Christ the Redeemer weighs 635 metric tons. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. The people of Rio funded almost all of the $250,000 construction costs. That sum equates to about $3.4 million today.
Interestingly, the original design showed Christ holding a cross and a globe. The final design features outstretched arms. This pose symbolizes openness and welcome. Passageways exist inside the Christ the Redeemer. Stairs allow workers to access the structure’s interior. They maintain and restore the statue.
Christ the Redeemer is struck by lightning often. It averages three to six strikes per year. Because of this, additional lightning rods have been installed. Each restoration darkens the statue slightly. The original light-colored soapstone quarry is now exhausted.
In 2006, a chapel was built in the statue’s base. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida. She is the patron saint of Brazil. You can even book the chapel for weddings.
Christ the Redeemer is not the tallest Jesus statue in the world. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The statue is within Tijuca National Park. This park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Take a moment. Feel the energy. Christ the Redeemer embodies the spirit of Rio. Its iconic form welcomes all.