What monument stands in Rio. Statue of Christ the Redeemer - the great shrine of Rio de Janeiro
The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is the pride and heritage of the Brazilian people. The famous monument represents a Christian shrine for pilgrims who annually visit the divine creation.
The opening three-dimensional panorama of city objects at the foot of the grandiose structure of mankind attracts many tourists from different countries of the world.
The flow of those wishing to join the world's architectural heritage is endless and annually attracts everyone with its grace.
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Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil - brief description
The artistic feature of the statue is manifested in the pose of Christ.
The body, which resembles a cross from a distance, is a symbol of the Christian faith. The outstretched arms of the giant simultaneously identify blessing and universal forgiveness. The monument is clearly visible from a long distance. The frame of the reinforced concrete structure is covered with soapstone and glass elements.
The divine spectacle surprises both during the day and at night. Night spotlights increase the effect of the spiritual value of the monument in the eyes of all believers. The direction of the rays on the sculpture creates the impression of Christ descending from heaven.
Do you know that: The statue of Christ the Redeemer is on the list of modern 7 wonders of the world.
Dimensions
The impressive appearance of the statue is given by the Corcovado hill on which it is located. Located at its very top, the figure of Christ the Redeemer looks both majestic and graceful.
In terms of size, the memorial itself is one of the tallest buildings not only in Rio de Janeiro, but also in the world, reaching a height of 30 meters. The pedestal on which the sculpture is installed is 8 meters high. The weight of the statue is 630 tons, the head is 35.6 tons, each arm weighs 9.1 tons, and the total weight of the structure is 1140 tons. The length of the outstretched arms of Christ the Savior is 28 meters.
Story
The idea of establishing a statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro arose in 1859.
The construction was planned on Corcovado Hill, the highest peak in Rio de Janeiro, reaching a height of 704 meters. A curved hill in the form of a “hump” was best suited for the construction of such an architectural masterpiece. Despite the consent of the church, its construction was impossible due to insufficient funds for construction. By the end of 1884, a railroad was built to the hill. Its engineers, Terceir Soares and Pereiro Passos, were the pioneers of the railway in .
At the beginning of 1921, at the insistence of the Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Sebastian Leme, donations for the holy monument in the amount of more than 2.5 million reais were collected from the townspeople. The church society also provided a large contribution.
The artist for the project was Carlos Oswald. He put forward the idea of building a statue with outstretched arms, reminiscent of a cross - a symbol of blessing.
The initial sketch suggested placing the figure of Jesus on a pedestal in the shape of a ball. However, this option did not guarantee the stability of the structure and was replaced by the engineer Hector de Silva Costa with a rectangular base.
In mid-1921, construction began on the monument to Christ the Savior in Rio de Janeiro, which was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the country's independence.
The production of sculpture parts from reinforced concrete and soapstone (soapstone), which has a soft structure, wear resistance and sufficient resistance to weather disasters, took place in France. The hands and head of Jesus were modeled by French sculptor Paul Landowski. The finished parts were transported along the railway track to the top of the hill, where they were assembled. The planned construction for 1 year was delayed for 9 years.
Note: With the grand opening and consecration of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the date entered into history - October 12, 1931.
The rededication took place with the participation of Pope Paul VI in 1965. Lighting fixtures were installed at the same time. In 1981, Pope John Paul II attended the statue's 50th anniversary. In 2000, the night illumination system was modernized. The introduction of escalators to the observation deck made the ascent to the landmark easier.
Under the great monument to Christ in Rio de Janeiro there is a small Catholic chapel, named after the spiritual minister Nossa Aparecida, where services, weddings and baptisms are held. It was created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the statue and was dedicated by Archbishop Eusebio Scheid. There is a souvenir shop nearby.
In 2007, the first divine service of the Russian Orthodox Church took place, which for quite a long time kept itself apart from the Christian monument. In 2016, as part of the Day of Russian Culture, held in Latin America, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill held a prayer service at the site of the monument with the spiritual choir of the Moscow Diocese.
You can see photos of this event in our article.
Many amazing events are associated with this monument:
Note: It is better to be inspired by sightseeing in the morning, before the midday heat. This will avoid large crowds of tourists in the observation area.
How to get there
To visit the majestic structure, you first need to get to the foot of Corcovado. You can get to it by a small electric train along a direct route, about 4 km long. This railway track, called Karakol, is actually shaped like a snail. In one hour the railway capacity is up to 550 passengers. The electric train runs every 20 minutes.
You can also use car rental or city taxi services. Upon arrival at your destination, the next step is to walk 40 meters or use an escalator or elevator. The further path to the observation deck is 223 steps of a steep winding staircase.
Please note: The route to the monument by road passes through the large Tijuca Natural Park with local exotic fauna.
Cost and operating time
The famous landmark of Brazil welcomes guests from 8.00 to 19.00 with free admission. You can get to it by electric train, which runs from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm at intervals of 20 minutes. The price of the ticket is 51 reais and includes the return trip.
Tourists are offered a helicopter tour to the monument, which costs $150 and allows you to take a closer look at the attraction from a bird's eye view.
Take note: You should keep your ticket for the return trip on the electric train, which is a round-trip travel document.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer - photo
Anyone who has visited the foot of the Christ statue is impressed by how the place has transformed from an ordinary fort into a tourist town. The scale and beauty of the luxurious view of Rio presented to the eyes of every tourist amazes everyone who is on the observation deck.
From its height you can see many attractions, including the Maracanã sports complex, famous for Brazilian football players, and the vast territory of the international airport.
You can admire the many kilometers of beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, and see the top of Sugar Loaf in the foggy haze. For many believers, climbing the steps of the stairs to the statue of Christ means cleansing and forgiveness of their sins. The outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer invite everyone under his divine protection.
Watch a video about the most famous statue in the world - the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro:
It is one of the largest, and definitely the most famous statue of all, embodying the image of the Son of God. The main symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general, the statue of Christ the Redeemer has attracted a huge number of pilgrims and tourists for many years. And in Brazil it is included in the list of the seven modern wonders of the world.
The reinforced concrete statue of Christ, towering over Rio de Janeiro, was made using the classical technology of that time: inside there is a frame made of inexpensive materials, on the outside there is some kind of sculptural stone, in this case, soapstone. The height of the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer is thirty meters. Another eight meters is the pedestal. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the largest statue of Jesus Christ - it is 14 meters lower than the total height of the Polish statue of Christ the King, and two and a half meters lower than the Bolivian sculpture Cristo de la Concordia.
The main distinguishing feature of the statue is its widely spread arms - upon closer inspection, Christ the Redeemer blesses the city, looking at it with his head slightly tilted. But from a distance, the sculpture takes on the appearance of a huge cross - the main symbol of redemption and Christianity. The famous arm span of the Redeemer reaches 28 meters - a length almost equal to the height of the sculpture without a pedestal. The appearance of Christ is classic, accepted in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions - a thin, slightly elongated face with prominent cheekbones, long hair, and a beard. Jesus is dressed in a Jewish tunic, with pieces of fabric thrown over his shoulders.
History of creation
The idea to build a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, which at that time was the capital of Brazil, came to the local government in 1921 - a year before the centenary of Brazilian National Independence. The end of the 19th century gave the world several state symbols - the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in the USA in 1886, and the Eiffel Tower in France in 1889. Brazilians have also long dreamed of their own outstanding monument, but there were not enough government funds for this. But the centennial anniversary of the independent state of Brazil united members of the government, ordinary residents, and church ministers - money for construction was collected throughout the year, through a special subscription from the Cruzeiro magazine.
The amount collected amounted to two and a half million miles and was immediately sent to France - it was there that the parts of the statue were to be made. Since 1923, individual parts of the Redeemer were delivered to Rio de Janeiro by rail, and then, using an electric train, they climbed Mount Corcovado - the construction site chosen through a survey of the same Cruzeiro magazine.
The construction of the statue of Jesus Christ continued for nine whole years - the grand opening took place on October 12, 1931, on the same day the sculpture was officially consecrated.
Authors of the project
The Brazilian sculptor Carlos Oswald developed the general appearance of the future monument back in 1921 - even then Jesus stood with outstretched arms like a cross, slightly bowing his head, but instead of the usual pedestal, under his feet, according to the sketch, there should have been a globe. The sketch was approved, but during further processing of the project this idea had to be abandoned - the ball under the sculpture weighing 600 tons, located on the mountain, seemed very unstable and short-lived. The final form of the future statue of Jesus Christ was developed by the famous Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa - it was his project that was eventually sent to the French. In the photo below is Silva Costa with a miniature of the future statue.
In France, more than 50 architects, sculptors and engineers worked on the details of the statue. The head and hands of Christ were modeled by the famous Parisian sculptor Paul Landowski - it took a year, and then, for another six years, the head was made by Gheorghe Leonid, an artist-sculptor of Romanian origin, based on the created models. The final cladding of the statue was carried out by Carlos Oswald, the same author of the first drawing of the future statue.
Exact location of the monument
The most accurate answer to the question of where the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer is located is the address of the monument. In the official guide to Rio de Janeiro it reads like this: Tijuca National Park, Alto da Boa Vista village, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, in any navigator it is enough to write the name of the statue - this object is too famous not to be found.
Path to the Redeemer
There are several ways to get to the statue - when coming to Rio for the first time, many people travel to the monument along the highway by car or public transport. This method is fast, but not very interesting. Experienced tourists recommend going up to the statue of the Redeemer by electric train - the first in Brazil and the same one with the help of which parts of the future sculpture were delivered to Corcovada almost a hundred years ago. This path, although it will take a little longer, will certainly leave an unforgettable impression thanks to the picturesque landscapes and a leisurely climb to the highest point of Rio de Janeiro, where the statue of Jesus Christ is located. Since 2003, the ascent to the observation deck has been equipped with escalators - so now tourists with any physical abilities can climb to the Redeemer.
Church attitude
The main monument of Brazil is not only an architectural monument and a tourist attraction - it is an important religious site both for the believing inhabitants of Brazil and for Christians around the world. In addition to the very first consecration, on the opening day in 1931, the statue of Jesus Christ was re-consecrated in 1965 by Pope Paul VI himself, who came to Rio specifically for this purpose. In 1981, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the sculpture, it was again unofficially consecrated by Pope John Paul II, who came to the celebration.
In 2007, a service was held near the statue of Jesus Christ by priests of the Russian Orthodox Church who arrived in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the friendly Days of Russia in Latin America. In 2016, ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church again arrived at the foot of the statue of the Redeemer, where Patriarch Kirill performed a prayer service in memory of Christians undergoing persecution.
Regularly - according to meteorologists, at least four times a year - the statue of the Redeemer is struck by lightning. This is not surprising, since the head of Christ is the highest point in Rio de Janeiro and a kind of lightning rod. Unfortunately, lightning strikes often leave damage after strikes, but representatives of the Brazilian Catholic Church are enterprising people, and from the moment of construction they have kept a huge supply of unused soapstone, which is used every now and then in cosmetic restoration without distorting the general appearance of the monument.
But not only nature encroaches on the beauty of the sculpture - in 2010, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was attacked by vandals. Unknown people smeared the face and hands of the monument with black paint and inscriptions. Fortunately, these outrages were instantly removed, and since then there have been regular security guards around the statue and a video surveillance system installed.
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer is the second largest Art Deco structure in the world. This monumental symbol of Christianity, the statue with outstretched arms over the city, is the main decoration of the city. So, which city was honored to have a unique monument? What country? The statue of Christ the Savior is installed in Rio de Janeiro. Tourists are eager to visit Brazil to see it with their own eyes.
Seven wonders of the world
Everyone knows the stunning monuments of art of the Ancient world: the Egyptian pyramids, the Sphinx, Semiramis, in Olympia, the mausoleum in Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and
The statue of Christ the Savior is a unique, but not the only structure on our planet that deserves attention. In 2007, it was decided to create a list of famous modern architectural structures to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. These included the pyramids of Giza, Chichen Itza, Taj Mahal, Petra, Machu Picchu, the Colosseum and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It’s the latter that we’ll be talking about today, so let’s move to Brazil and see what’s interesting here.
Rio de Janeiro - the pearl of Brazil
Every tourist dreams of visiting this fantastic city. European architecture, a sea of lights, luxury jewelry stores and even a Jewelry Museum. The local beaches are even more famous: delicate white sand and the gentle ocean give true pleasure. The botanical garden with fountains and magnificent alleys is perfect for leisurely strolls.
There are a lot of architectural monuments in Rio that you can visit, and the most famous among them is the statue of Christ the Savior on Mount Corcovado. You can see it hundreds of times on TV or on the Internet, but you will never experience the awe that covers everyone who finds themselves at the foot of the giant at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level.
A little history
Every year thousands of tourists come to the city where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. This stunning sculpture does not leave indifferent even atheists who are far from the Christian faith.
The peak on which the statue was later erected was called “Mountain of Temptation” back in the 14th century. Its unusual shape later led to a name change, and it became known as Corcovado, which translated into Russian means “hunchback.”
In 1859, before a series of research expeditions, the clergyman of the Catholic Church, Pedro Maria Boss, visited here. Captivated by the picturesque beauty of these places, he decided to erect a statue of Christ on the mountain, which would serve as a symbol of protection and protect the city. It is not without reason that the city of Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the location where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. The stunning panorama of the city, the bay with the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain and the lacy coastline are associated with nothing other than a picture of a modern paradise.
Project competition
The church was not ready to implement such a large-scale project at its own expense, so the project was postponed and construction of a railway began, which was supposed to help in the delivery of building materials.
In 1921, a festival called "Monument Week" was organized. During the event, donations were collected for construction.
Since the city where the statue of Christ the Savior found its permanent place was so actively involved in the implementation of this plan, it was decided to announce a competition for the best project. Architects and engineers immediately responded, offering dozens of different options for consideration. The city administration chose the design of Heitor da Silva Costa: his statue maximally expressed the idea of Christianity, since the figure with outstretched arms resembled a cross.
I must say that the project has undergone some changes. After much debate, engineers replaced the ball-shaped pedestal, symbolizing the earth, with a rectangular one. A small chapel was built there, which is still in use today. The pedestal was made of marble.
Location
Construction lasted about 9 years, from 1922 to 1931. It was truly a huge project. At that time, the country was not technically ready to create such a miracle as the statue of Christ the Savior, so it was decided to produce all the parts in France and then deliver them by rail to the top of Mount Corcovado. Here they were met by local craftsmen and sculptors who carried out the assembly. The figure is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
On October 12, 1931, the grand opening and consecration of the statue took place. From the final route of the railway to the top of the mountain, a winding staircase was made, consisting of 220 steps, along which numerous pilgrims, tourists and townspeople climbed. Since then, on the majestic Mount Corcovado, rising 704 meters above sea level, in a mysterious haze of clouds and fog, there has been a beautiful statue of Christ the Savior. The city, under the powerful protection of Jesus, spreads out with a fantastic vision that makes your heart skip a beat... The statue has become a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Description
The idea of the figure of Christ standing with outstretched arms suggests that all things are in the hands of the Lord. The statue can be seen from anywhere in the city, at any time of the day. It looks especially charming in the rays of the setting sun from the helicopter window. Private companies provide this service: a slow flight around the monumental figure of Christ in a circle. Its height together with the pedestal is impressive - 39.6 meters, and its arm span is 30 meters. The giant weighs more than 1100 tons!
Time travel
To immerse yourself in the era of the creation of the monument, you should use ancient transport, preserved since 1896. The antique-looking tram still runs today, connecting the upper and lower levels of the city. Just imagine that it is more than 100 years old, and the past decades immediately appear before your eyes...
The journey will be slow and will give you the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views. Creaking on turns and struggling up the steep climb, the tram brings you to the foot of the stairs leading to the observation deck. Just 220 steps - and you are at the statue. From this angle, the pedestal looks much more impressive, partly because the natural pedestal is the mountain itself. Many people talk about a special, mysterious aura enveloping the figure. It’s hard to disagree with this, because next to such a work of art you experience mystical awe.
You shouldn’t luxuriate in bed for a long time if you decide to take a journey to beauty. The statue of Christ the Savior is located in one of the most visited cities, so the influx of tourists here is very large. Closer to noon, you risk being stuck in line for a long time. Both the lift, the tram, and the stairs themselves have limited capacity, so early morning is the best time for the excursion.
There are no problems with transport here: every 30 minutes a train leaves the city and takes those interested to the monument. The journey will take very little time, about 20 minutes. If you do not want to part with your personal transport, then there is a good parking lot at the foot of the statue. From here you can climb on foot or use a modern elevator. Today it is possible to take an escalator or cable car, so if you have small children or elderly people with you, do not worry that the load will be too much for them.
Don’t rush to leave the site after viewing the statue: go on an excursion to the Museum of Naïve Art, walk through the magnificent forest on your own or in the company of a guide. Clean air, clear rivers and lakes, exotic wildlife - all this will give you many vivid impressions.
Doubles of the statue
The popularity of the monument led to the construction of a number of later analogues. In Lisbon in the mid-90s of the twentieth century, a 28-meter statue was erected. Instead of a 700-meter mountain, a pedestal 80 meters high was used.
A similar statue with outstretched arms, 32 meters high, was erected in Vietnam.
In Indonesia, just a few years ago, the construction of a 30-meter monument to Christ was completed, and this despite the fact that the country is Muslim.
Time, nature, elements
For less than 100 years, the statue did not experience any serious shocks. Storms and hurricanes that destroyed everything in their path did not harm her, nor did the lightning that often struck her. Some consider this to be a property; others see it as having a sacred meaning. During one of the strong thunderstorms, lightning broke off two fingers from Christ’s hand. The church keeps a reserve of the stone from which the monument is made, and reconstruction of this most valuable historical object is expected in the near future.
Cultural heritage is a reflection of the people who created it. The Christ the Redeemer statue is an eloquent proof of Brazil's greatness: a magnificent work of art located in the most beautiful city in the world.
Brazil differs from many other southern countries in that it has virtually no natural resources. Despite the presence of many mountain ranges on the territory of the state, there are no active volcanoes there. No destructive floods or dangerous tsunamis have been recorded either. The Brazilians themselves believe that on the seventh day the Lord did not rest, but created a great capital. This city is located among endless sandy beaches and even climbs onto the slopes of huge granite rocks. And on the top of one of the highest hills - Corcovado - rises the world-famous statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, as if hugging the city. It is she, in the unanimous opinion of all townspeople, who protects him from all misfortunes.
Statue of the Prophet Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro
The idea of creating some kind of monumental monument - a symbol of the nation - came to the mind of one of the city officials back in 1922. Then, throughout the country, the centenary of Brazil's independence from Portugal was celebrated on a grand scale. Rio de Janeiro at that time was the capital of the state and it was in this city that they decided to erect a grandiose monument on Corcovado Hill, since its top was flat and was an ideal site for construction. In addition, back in 1884, a railway leading to this mountain was built. Multi-ton building materials for the construction of the statue were delivered along it.
It must be said that initially the government of the country planned to create a monument to Christopher Columbus. However, most townspeople greeted such a proposal with indignation. O Cruzeiro magazine held a general vote. Based on its results, it was decided that the statue of Christ the Redeemer would be located in Rio de Janeiro in this very place.
At the project competition, the idea to depict Christ with open arms was recognized as the best, as if wanting to embrace the entire city and at the same time resembling a cross. This figure expressed both the symbol of the Christian faith, compassion, and the desire to help all people.
A nationwide fundraiser was announced for the construction of a statue of Christ. The church was actively involved in this project and also announced a collection of donations. In a fairly short period of time, a colossal amount for those times was collected - more than 2 million reais. But the financial problem was not the only one. In Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century, there were simply no technological conditions to create such a grandiose building. France came to the rescue. It was in this country that the frame and plaster sketches of the statue’s details were made. They were delivered to Brazil on ships, and on the spot, according to the plans made of soapstone and talkolite, the main parts of the statue were completed, they were lifted up the mountain, where a reinforced concrete pedestal had already been erected, and they were assembled together. By the way, the stone itself was brought from Sweden, and not only French but also Romanian sculptors worked on creating, for example, the head of Christ. The project “Statue of Christ the Redeemer: Rio de Janeiro” was implemented with the participation of other countries.
Opening ceremony of an architectural masterpiece
This super-scale construction took place for nine long years. When all the work was completed, a ceremony of consecration and unveiling of the statue took place. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and religious pilgrims from all over the world gathered for this event. A few days before the opening, which, by the way, took place on October 12, 1931, the statue was covered with a huge panel. Therefore, she appeared before the audience only at night. In the pitch darkness, hundreds of spotlights suddenly flashed and before the eyes of the astonished people present, the giant statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro seemed to float in the air with his arms outstretched to the people. Since then, for 85 years, every day in Rio de Janeiro, any of its happy residents, as well as everyone who visits this city, can watch with delight a similar action unfolding every evening on Corcovado Hill.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer: Rio de Janeiro - interesting facts from the history of its existence
During its existence, the statue, which became a symbol not only of the city, but of the entire country, has, as usual, acquired a considerable number of legends, superstitions and curious coincidences. Here are just a few of them:
Although it is officially believed that the idea to create a statue on the hill appeared in 1922, back in the 19th century, namely in 1859, a certain priest, Father Pedro, asked Princess Isabella for funds to build a statue of Jesus Christ on the Corcovado hill. He even proposed dedicating this building to the lady, but there was no reciprocal interest from the royal person, and the project did not take place.
In 2008, a storm of unprecedented power swept over Rio de Janeiro. There was a large amount of all kinds of destruction in the city and its surroundings: houses, power lines, and roads were damaged. But the statue of Jesus remained unharmed, although, as eyewitnesses could observe, lightning struck directly into it more than once. Atheists attribute this miracle to the dielectric properties of soapstone, but Christians consider this fact to be a real providence of God.
In 2010, another one ended in South Africa. At this time, at the foot of the statue, football fans, of whom there are a great many in Brazil, placed a banner calling them to welcome the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2014. Their efforts, as we know, were crowned with success - such a boom in the arrival of fans has not been recorded at any championship.
In preparation for the statue's 50th anniversary, one French artist proposed painting the entire figure blue. In her opinion, it is he who symbolizes peace and should bring it to people. She even received the blessing of a Brazilian bishop. However, when all the necessary equipment was delivered to the site, a real tropical downpour hit the city for many hours. The statue remained in its usual gray-green color, and believers believe that the Almighty did not like this idea.
There is no doubt that the statue of Jesus Christ installed in Rio de Janeiro will delight Brazilians and guests of the country for many years to come, and will bring many more amazing miracles. Believing in them or not is the personal choice of each person.
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer (port. Cristo Redentor) is the famous statue of Christ with outstretched arms on the top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. It is a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general. The statue of Christ the Redeemer can rightfully be considered one of the most majestic buildings of mankind. Its size and beauty, combined with the panorama opening from the observation deck at the foot of the statue, will take the breath away of anyone who happens to be there.
It stands on top of the Corcovado hill at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level. The height of the statue itself is 30 meters, not counting the seven-meter pedestal, and its weight is 1140 tons. The idea for this structure originated in 1922, when the centenary of Brazilian independence was celebrated. A well-known weekly magazine then announced a competition of projects for the best monument - a symbol of the nation. The winner, Hector da Silva Costa, came up with the idea of a sculpture of Christ with his arms outstretched and embracing the entire city.
This gesture expresses compassion and at the same time joyful pride. Da Silva's idea was received with enthusiasm by the public also because it crossed out the previous plan to erect a grandiose monument to Christopher Columbus on Mount Pan de Azucar. The church immediately got involved, organizing a fundraiser across the country to finance the project.
An interesting detail: due to technological imperfections, it was not possible to create such a statue in Brazil at that time. Therefore, it was manufactured in France, and then transported in parts to the site of future installation. First by water to Brazil, then by miniature railway to the top of Mount Corcovado. In total, construction cost the equivalent of 250 thousand US dollars at that time.
Before work began, architects, engineers and sculptors met in Paris to discuss all the technical problems of installing the statue on a hilltop, where it was exposed to all winds and other meteorological influences. Work on the design and creation of the statue took place in Paris. It was then transported to Rio de Janeiro and installed on Corcovado Hill. On October 12, 1931, its first grand opening and consecration took place; by this day, the lighting installation was also installed.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI repeated the consecration ceremony, and the lighting installation was also updated for the occasion. Another great celebration took place here in the presence of Pope John Paul II on October 12, 1981, when the fiftieth anniversary of the statue itself was celebrated.
The statue of Christ the Savior is considered one of the modern wonders of the world. The height of the stone monument is 30 meters, not counting the seven-meter pedestal; the head of the statue weighs 35.6 tons; the hands weigh 9.1 tons each, and the arm span is 23 meters. Built in 1885, the tram line now leads almost to the top of the hill: the final stop is just forty meters below the statue. From there you need to climb 220 steps of a staircase to the pedestal on which the observation deck is located.
In 2003, an escalator was opened that takes you to the foot of the famous statue. From here you can clearly see the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema stretching on the right hand, and on the left the giant bowl of the Maracana, the world's largest stadium, and the international airport. From the sea side rises the unique silhouette of Mount Pan di Azucar. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a national treasure and a national Brazilian shrine.
The statue of Christ the Savior is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and weighs 635 tons. Due to its size and location, the statue is clearly visible from a fairly large distance. And in certain lighting, it looks truly divine.
But even more impressive is the view of Rio de Janeiro from the observation deck located at the foot of the statue. You can get to it by the highway, and then by steps and escalators.
Twice, in 1980 and 1990, major repairs were carried out on the statue. Also, preventative work was carried out several times. In 2008, the statue was struck by lightning and damaged slightly. Work to restore the outer layer on the fingers and head of the statue, as well as install new lightning rods, began in 2010.
It was then that the statue of Christ the Savior was subjected to the first and only act of vandalism in its entire history. Someone climbed onto the scaffolding and painted pictures and inscriptions on the face of Christ.
Every year, about 1.8 million tourists will climb to the foot of the monument. Therefore, when the new seven wonders of the world were named in 2007, the statue of Christ the Savior was included in their list.
Christ spread his arms over the huge city, as if blessing the millions of people living in it. Far below are houses, streets with colorful spots of cars, a long yellow strip stretching along the bay, and on the other side, bordered by green palm trees, is the famous multi-kilometer Copacabana beach. On the other hand of Christ you can see the no less famous bowl of the Maracana stadium, which was glorified by the Brazilian football wizards, five-time world champions, the international airport, and beyond the surface of the bay, on the other side, silhouettes of distant mountains are visible in the haze of fog.
Here, standing at the feet of Christ, you understand what an amazingly beautiful place the Portuguese conquistadors chose, who in the 16th century founded a fort on the shore of Guanabara Bay, which very quickly became the city of Rio de Janeiro and the capital of the Viceroyalty of Brazil, one of the colonies of Portugal.
Only in 1822 did Brazil become an independent state, called first the Brazilian Empire, and from 1889 the Republic of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro continued to be the capital of the state until 1960, when it gave up this honor to the new city of Brasilia, but remained one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. It is not for nothing that the Brazilians themselves say about him this way: “God created the world in six days, and on the seventh he created Rio de Janeiro.”
To be fair, it must be said that there are other similar majestic statues of Christ on Earth. In Italy, a huge stone Savior rises above the city of Maratea. In the Dominican Republic, on the island of Haiti - above the city of Puerto Plata. But in Rio de Janeiro he is the most majestic and stands tallest...