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The statue of Christ the Redeemer is Brazil’s most famous symbol. It has stood tall in Rio de Janeiro for decades and is a prominent tourist attraction. The statue is a representation of the people of Brazil and stands for peace, resilience, love, and faith. It is a culturally significant monument that regularly features in national celebrations and events, not to mention TV, films, and documentaries. This post provides several facts about Christ the Redeemer that will leave you amazed about this magnificent monument.
Keep reading to be fascinated by the tale of the statue’s creation, as well as the facts surrounding it.
1. Where is Christ the Redeemer?
Christ the Redeemer is a statue atop the Corcovado mountain in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The Corcovado mountain lies to the west of the city’s center and is within the Tijuca National Park. One can see the peak of the Corcovado mountain from various parts of the city.
2. How tall is Christ the Redeemer?
The statue stands at 30m (98ft). The pedestal (base of the statue) has a height of 8m (26ft). It brings the total height (base+statue) to 38m (124.7ft).
3. What is the weight of the Christ the Redeemer statue?
The approximate weight of the entire structure is 700 tonnes.
Image: Shutterstock
4. When was the Christ the Redeemer statue constructed?
The foundation stone of Christ the Redeemer was laid in the year 1922. Though the construction began that year full-fledged development is said to have started in 1926 and lasted until 1931.
5. Who built Christ the Redeemer?
A priest named Pierre-Marie Boss, also called Pedro Maria Boss, first envisioned placing a Christian monument on top of the Corcovado mountain around the year 1859. In 1922, Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald designed the statue. Oswald is credited with the final pose of the Christ with open arms. Paul Landowski, a French sculptor, worked on creating the Savior’s statue.
This magnificent artwork was thus a collaborative effort of Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald, and French sculptor Paul Landowski.
6. What is Christ the Redeemer made of?
The statue’s base is made of reinforced concrete. The exterior structure is made of soapstone that is placed on an internal reinforced concrete frame. Soapstone is easy to carve, which enabled the sculptors to create several fine details of the clothing on the statue. The stone is durable and can withstand harsh weather.
Image: Shutterstock
7. How to get to Christ the Redeemer statue?
Tourists can reach the peak of Corcovado mountain through a narrow road that passes through the forest of the Tijuca National Park. Alternatively, they can take the railroad called Corcovado Rack Railway. There is also a walking trail that goes all the way to the top of the mountain. Once you reach the summit, several escalators take you up to the base of the statue.
Hillary, a travel enthusiast, shares her awesome experience of visiting the spectacular statue. She says, “We had to drive up most of the mountain, take a bus from there, then an elevator, and finally, climb stairs to reach the top… But the resulting view was spectacular! With a completely unmarred, 360-degree view of Rio, the mountain is perfect for photographing the city. The beaches, the mountains, the centro, all the things we had just explored in the city were there.
“However, viewpoints are viewpoints, and even after taking a shot of the beautiful Copacabana or Sugar Loaf Mountain, when you turn around and are faced with this unreal, larger-than-life statue, it is… Unexplainable. It “fills one with awe”. It was moving and exciting and I couldn’t get over the fact I was standing right under it and looking up (i).”
8. How long are the arms of Christ the Redeemer?
The outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer span 28 meters (92 feet).
9. When was the statue opened to visitors?
The statue was officially inaugurated on 12th October 1931.
10. How many people visit Christ the Redeemer every year?
The statue gets nearly 2 million national and international visitors each year.
More Amazing Facts About Christ The Redeemer
- Railways were used to transport building materials to the top of Corcovado Mountain.
- The original design proposed by engineer Heitor da Silva Costa was a pose of Christ standing with a cross in one hand and a globe in another. Later, the Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald changed the design to Jesus standing with arms wide open. It is considered as a symbolism of peace that seemed more appropriate for the location.
Image: Shutterstock
- It is made to withstand wind speeds of up to 250kmph (155mph).
- The hands and the head were the only parts of the statue not made in Brazil. They were made in Paris and were transported to Rio de Janeiro.
- There are several lightning rods (also called lightning conductors) on top of the arms and the head of the statue. These rods protect the statue by conducting lightning away from the statue and towards the ground.
Image: Shutterstock
- The head of the statue alone is said to weigh about 30 tonnes.
- Tourists had to climb 200 steps to reach the base of the statue before the introduction of escalators in the year 2002.
- Christ the Redeemer statue was chosen as one of the seven wonders of the modern world in the year 2007.
Image: Shutterstock
- The first major restoration of the statue happened in the year 1980 when Pope John Paul II visited Brazil. The statue was also heavily restored in the year 2010. Stones for restoration came from the quarry from where the original stones for the statue were collected.
- Soapstones procured from the quarry in recent times are of a darker shade, because of which the restored sections of the statue appear slightly dark on close observation. Brazilian archaeological experts say that the statue will get darker with further restoration projects in the future.
- It has been struck by lightning several times, with severe hits in the years 2008 and 2014. The 2008 lightning hit damaged the statue’s head and fingers. In 2014, one of the fingers was lost when a bolt of lightning hit it.
Image: Shutterstock
- A chapel at the base of the statue was constructed in 2006. One can get married at the chapel too!
- The art style used in designing Christ the Redeemer statue is called Art Deco style. It is characterized by straight lines and simple shapes. Christ the Redeemer is the largest Art Deco-style structure in the world.
Image: Shutterstock
- Christ the Redeemer is lit every night with about 300 energy-efficient LED lights. It makes the status visible from great distances. In 2010, the statue was illuminated with green and yellow light representing the colors of the Brazilian soccer team.
- Christ’s pose is often considered to depict a cross. However, it is most likely to suggest a “hug” and that Christ embraces everyone. It symbolizes the love that Jesus has for humanity, regardless of their background or beliefs. The pose and the statue itself have now become a national and international symbol of peace and harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was Christ the Redeemer built?
Christ the Redeemer was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Brazilian independence from Portugal and represents the beliefs of Christianity. The statue is a religious symbol of forgiveness and redemption that reminds people of their faith in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
2. Is Christ the Redeemer taller than the Statue of Liberty?
No, Christ the Redeemer is smaller than New York’s Statue of Liberty. It is about two-thirds the height of the Statue of Liberty.
3. How much did it cost to build Christ the Redeemer?
Over the nine years that Christ the Redeemer was built, the cost came up to around US $250,000, equivalent to over US $3.4 million in current value.
4. What is the best time to visit Christ the Redeemer?
The best time to visit Christ the Redeemer is from September to October when the temperature and humidity are relatively low. Additionally, early morning and late afternoon are the most ideal times to visit the monument for good lighting and better visibility.
5. Who maintains and takes care of Christ the Redeemer?
The catholic church owns and maintains Christ the Redeemer.
6. What are the best ways to experience Christ the Redeemer?
You can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro from the base of Christ the Redeemer. The site also offers access to guided tours covering the history of the statue and its importance. To get the best experience, you should book your tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Situated on the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the construction of this statue was regarded to be highly risky. It has been attracting visitors for decades and is considered a Brazilian archaeological treasure. The monument has also been named one of the seven wonders of the modern world and is a part of human history. If your little one is fascinated by architecture, share with them some amazing facts about the seven wonders of the world for kids, including the ones about Christ the Redeemer, to pique their interest and encourage them to explore other such wonderful monuments.
Infographic: Amazing Facts For Children About Christ The Redeemer
Situated at the top of Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro city of Brazil, Christ the Redeemer is one of the seven wonders of the modern world and serves as a global representation of peace and harmony. Scroll through the infographic below to learn more about this giant statue. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- The colossal Christ the Redeemer is the most popular sculpture of Brazil.
- However, did you know that this tourist attraction is visited by at least 2 million people in a year?
- Many amazing facts about this historical statue as you scroll down.
Illustration: Interesting Facts About Christ The Redeemer For Kids
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Discover the history and facts behind the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro. Learn about its construction, symbolism, and impact on the city.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Rio De Janeiro;https://thebucketlust.com/tag/christ-the-redeemer/
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