Description of the attraction
The history of the monument to Christ the Redeemer in the Andes dates back to the late 19th century, during the military confrontation between Argentina and Chile. They tried to resolve the issue through peaceful negotiations, and one of the proposals was to create a statue of Christ the Redeemer, as a symbol of tranquility and prosperity. The proposal was accepted. They decided to install the statue on the border of the two countries on the slope of the Andes.
The monument was created by the Brazilian sculptor Mateo Alonso. The sculpture is a six-meter granite pedestal with a 7-meter-high statue of Christ installed on it. He has a cross in one hand, and with the other he blesses two nations. The material for the creation of the statue was an old weapon left in Argentina after the War of Independence against the Spanish invaders.
Despite the fact that the statue was erected in a deserted place, several thousand residents of Argentina and Chile gathered for the opening. The magnificent ceremony unveiled not only the monument, but also several commemorative plaques, which are still located nearby.
Several times the statue of Christ the Redeemer suffered from bad weather and seismic activity typical for that region. It was restored and individual elements were restored.
Numerous tourists from all over the world come to see the sculpture every day.
Recently, the monument to Christ the Redeemer turned one hundred years old, but to this day it is still a symbol of peace and mutual understanding. An inscription is carved on the pedestal, which reads: "Rather, these mountains will turn to dust than the Chileans and Argentines will break the peace, which they swore to keep at the feet of Christ the Redeemer."
