Description of the attraction
The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands in the former capital of Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. In 2007, she was included in the "New Seven Wonders of the World" list. Its height is 38 meters, weight is 1145 tons, arm span is 30 meters. It was built on Mount Corcovado, which means "Brokeback Mountain". It got its name from its shape.
In 1859, Father Pedro Maria Boss arrived in Rio de Janeiro. He was so surprised by the beauty of Mount Corcovado that he suggested building a religious monument on top of it. The idea was approved, and the construction of a railway leading to the top of the mountain began. The railroad was completed by 1884. And the construction of the statue was postponed.
The history of the construction of the monument
They started talking again about the construction of a giant monument in 1921. It was then that it was decided that it would be a huge statue of Christ. The opening of the monument was planned to coincide with the centenary of Brazil's independence, which was to take place in a year. A fundraising campaign was announced across the country. And after the money was collected, construction began.
The project was originally drawn by Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald. On its model, the pedestal looked like a globe, and Christ stood on it with outstretched hands. The monument looked like a large cross. Later, engineer Heitor da Silva Costa changed the shape of the pedestal to a more classical one. Due to the impossibility of creating such huge monuments in Brazil, their construction was carried out in France. As a result, the French sculptor Paul Landowski took part in the process of creating the figure. All the constituent parts of the sculpture were transported by sea, and then delivered to the top of the mountain by rail. A staircase with 223 steps leads from it to the final place of installation. It is called "Snail".
On October 12, 1931, the opening and consecration of the monument took place. In 1965, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was consecrated by Pope Paul VI. Subsequently, the statue was reconstructed several times, and in 2003 the rise was equipped with escalators.
Now the Statue of Christ the Redeemer is a visiting card of Rio de Janeiro. Tourists from all over the world have appreciated the brave project of Brazilian architects and engineers and now it is one of the most visited attractions in the world.
On a note
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Rua Cosme Velho, 513.
- Official website:
