The statue of Christ the Redeemer is the great shrine of Rio de Janeiro. Statue of Christ the Redeemer: history and location
The majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This grandiose building on Mount Corcovado is a tourist symbol of Brazil, classified as a new wonder of the world. The height of Corcovado is 800 m, and the famous statue installed on its top is 38 m (together with an 8-meter marble pedestal).
A giant statue of Christ with outstretched arms spanning 28 m from a distance looks like a cross. Despite the weight exceeding a thousand tons, the monument looks elegant. From its foot opens a bewitching panorama of the city, which is admired by about 2 million tourists every year.
Creation of a statue of Christ
The name of the mountain is translated as "Hunchback". In 1859, the Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss, who visited Rio de Janeiro, saw her. He approached the Brazilian princess Isabel of Braganza with the idea of building a large sculpture of the Savior on top of Corcovado. He was supported in the church environment, but the state did not have the opportunity to finance such an expensive project. The idea was postponed until better times, but for now they limited themselves to the construction of a railway line reaching the top of Corcovado.
They returned to the idea in 1921, on the eve of the centennial anniversary of the country's independence. There was still no state money for the construction, especially since by that time the church had been separated from the state, which had become a republic.
Catholic organizations decided to add donations from citizens to their own funds. They were told that if they managed to raise the necessary amount, then the construction of a monument to Christopher Columbus planned on the mountain Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) would be cancelled. Brazilians do not really favor Columbus, considering him the culprit of the Portuguese colonization of the country. In a short time, it was possible to collect 2.2 million flights (as the Brazilian real currency was then pronounced in the plural), so the monument is a real folk project.
The winner of the competition announced by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro was local artist Carlos Oswald. He is the author of a sketch of a sculpture with outstretched arms, at a distance resembling a huge cross: "Come to Me, all you who are laboring and burdened, and I will give you rest." According to his idea, the Savior had to stand on a spherical pedestal, symbolizing the Earth. However, the technical difficulties of implementation forced to stop at a rectangular base, erected by engineer Hector de Silva Costa.
The design and construction participants worked with great enthusiasm. Some of them even lived in tents near the construction site.
The components of the statue itself were made in France, which had a greater technical potential than Brazil. The materials for the manufacture of steel were reinforced concrete and soapstone (called soapstone). The latter was specially imported from Sweden, from the Lymhamn field. The final modeling of the head and hands of Christ was carried out by the French specialist Paul Landowski with assistants.
Finished components were delivered to Rio de Janeiro. This is where the old railway line came in handy. On it, the details of the sculpture were raised to its future location - the top of Corcovado, where the final installation was carried out.
The construction took 9 years instead of the planned year.
The monument was solemnly opened and consecrated in 1931.
- Rising above the surrounding area, the statue regularly receives lightning strikes. However, they did not cause serious damage to the monument. It was also bypassed by the extreme storm of 2008, which destroyed the nearby neighborhoods of Rio. Believers tend to associate this fact with the holiness of the place. The prosaic explanation boils down to the excellent dielectric properties of soapstone. The local Catholic diocese has a permanent supply of it.
- After statues of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil sculptures similar in composition were installed in Lisbon, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Malta, Indonesia, Vietnam, and East Timor. There are even underwater sculptures that have received the name "Christ from the Abyss".
- The initial illumination was carried out using radio waves remotely controlled from Rome. The distance from it to Rio is 9200 km.
Modernity
The monument was restored three times - in 1980, 1990 and 2010. Night illumination was modernized in 1932 and 2000. In 2011, on the day of the city, the statue received new lighting, consisting of 300 computer-controlled LED spotlights. It allows you to optimally select the intensity of radiation and the color range of each of them.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer makes a particularly stunning impression at night. The backlight creates the effect of light radiation coming from the giant figure of the Savior descending into the city. Religious people remember His inspired words: "I am the light of the world..." and "I am with you all the days until the end of time."
From the foot you can see an impressive panorama of Rio de Janeiro with the Bay of Baía da Guanabara, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Pão de Açúcar mountain and the Estádio do Maracanã stadium. True, not in rainy weather, when only fog and clouds are visible.
There is a small chapel in the marble plinth of the pedestal, where services, baptisms and weddings are regularly held. There is a gift shop nearby. It is not difficult to guess the most popular souvenirs. In the city they are much cheaper.
Cristo Redentor is one of the most popular travel brands. Spectacular shooting of the monument can be seen in a number of films.
How to get there
The statue is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. To the top of Mount Corcovado from the city center can be reached by taxi or funicular. A train of two trailers runs from 08:30 to 18:30 every half hour, and takes tourists to the mountain in 20 minutes. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 51 BRL (Brazilian reais).
Both of these vehicles pass through Parque Nacional da Tijuca, the world's largest urban forest. Both the car and the train do not reach the monument. A steep staircase of 223 steps leads to it. Climbing it is difficult for children, the weak and the elderly. A convenient alternative is the escalator built in 2003. Wealthy travelers have the opportunity to book a helicopter tour for 150 USD.
One of the most famous statues in the world and certainly the most recognizable in Brazil is the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Installed on Mount Corcovado at an altitude of more than 700 meters, with outstretched arms in a blessing gesture, it looks at the huge city below it. The statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, due to its fame, attracts millions of tourists to Mount Corcovado. From its height, a beautiful view of the ten-millionth city with its bays, beaches, the Maracanã stadium opens up.
Statue of Christ in Rio: history and description
In 1884, a small railway was built on the mountain, along which building materials were delivered just later. The reason for the erection of the monument of Christ was the approaching centenary of the independence of Brazil in 1922. Fundraising was announced to create a monument in what was then the capital of Brazil. For example, the magazine "O Cruzeiro" collected about 2.2 million reais from its subscription. The church, represented by Archbishop Sebastian Leme, was also actively involved in the preparation of the financial fund.
The idea of Christ with outstretched arms, resembling a cross from a distance, belongs to the artist Carlos Osvaldo. According to this first layout, the statue of Christ was supposed to stand on the globe. The final project, according to which the sculpture was created, was created by Heitor da Silva Costa. According to it, the height of the structure is 38 meters, of which 8 meters goes to the pedestal, and the arm span reaches 28 meters. With such striking dimensions, the total weight of the structure was 1145 tons.
Brazilian technology at that time did not allow most of the work on the implementation of such a project, so all the details of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil were created in France, from where they were safely delivered to Brazil and lifted to the installation site by the built railway. From the end of the railway to the statue itself, a path of 220 steps was built, called "Karakol". Interestingly, there is a chapel inside the basement of the monument.
The construction of the monument took about nine years. The opening and consecration of the statue took place on October 12, 1931. The statue quickly assumed the role of a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil. And in 2007 she was elected one of the
Rio de Janeiro, day two.
Today, the impression of Rio has improved significantly - apparently, Rio belongs to that rare type of city that has an absolutely faded and nondescript center and all the beauties and sights in them are scattered around the outskirts - in this Rio is somewhat similar to Los Angeles. So, from my hostel, located near the Praca Onze metro station, I got to the Cosme Velho railway station, from where trains go to Mount Corcovado, with two transfers - two buses and a metro. Upon arrival, it turned out that there were no train tickets for the next two and a half hours - a full house, everything was sold out. I really didn’t want to climb the mountain on foot, and the railway itself is a landmark: the elevation difference is 690 meters, in one place it passes over a bridge 170 meters long; so I had to wander around the Laranjeiras district while waiting for the train, choose souvenirs and drink coffee in cafes. Every cloud has a silver lining - during this time I bought all the planned Brazilian souvenirs and gifts. And just to sit for an hour in a cafe under a palm tree, slowly sipping coffee and finally realizing that you are not somewhere, but in Rio de Janeiro - it's worth a lot.
District of Laranjeiras(Laranjeiras) is a fairly prosperous area of Rio. Here is the official residence of the governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro (in the Laranjeiras Palace) and the city hall (in the Guanabara Palace). Cosme Velho station surroundings: 
Mount Corcovado: in 1501, after discovering the Gulf of Guanabara, Amerigo Vespucci named the hill overlooking the coast Pinaculo Da Tentação (“Peak of Temptation”), following the example of the biblical mountain near the city of Jericho, where Jesus spent forty days fasting and was tempted by the devil. The modern name Corcovado (“hill”, “hump”) appeared already in the 17th century; one version says that the name allegedly comes from the Latin cor quo vado? (“heart, where am I going?”).
Statue of Christ the Redeemer: The idea of building a religious monument on top of the mountain originated in 1859, when the Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss proposed the project to the Regent Princess Isabel, daughter of the Emperor of Brazil, Don Pedro II - but then the proclamation of the republic and other turbulent historical events followed, so everyone interested persons were not up to the monument. They returned to the idea again on the eve of the centenary of Brazil's independence, in the 1920s. Construction began on April 4, 1922; according to the original design, Jesus held a cross in his left hand, and a globe in his right. However, even before the completion of construction, local residents got into the habit of depicting a soccer ball instead of the globe in numerous cartoons, and the idea with a cross and a ball had to be abandoned. Grand opening statues of Christ the Redeemer(Cristo Redentor) took place on October 12, 1931; in 1937 the statue was officially recognized as a monument under state protection; in 2006, the Catholic Church declared it a place of pilgrimage, and a year later, in the course of voting by SMS, telephone and Internet, it was recognized as one of the "seven wonders of the world of the New Age." 
The statue is really nice and the views from the mountain are amazing - everything is wonderful, but being the world-famous "emblem" of Rio, the statue attracts insane crowds of tourists. And many of them strive to stand right in front of the statue, spread their arms to the sides and stand like that while their friends photograph them in the “statue pose” against the background of the original - you have to carefully bend around these “statues” in the crowd, trying not to touch their outstretched limbs. 
And one Russian-speaking comrade climbed onto the parapet, raised his hands to the sky and let his companion yell from there how exactly he should be photographed.
There was such an episode at the observation deck - someone once again yelled heart-rendingly over my ear - and out of surprise I cursed loudly in Russian. Suddenly I hear - “Are you from Russia? Hello!" It turned out that the seller of the souvenir stall, a longtime immigrant from Ukraine, heard a Russian swear word and was so happy with it that we started a friendly conversation, during which he even gave me a piece of agate from his assortment for good luck. So now I have agate from Mount Corcovado. So, it took me about five hours to visit the statue of Christ - I recommend laying down time with a margin and going there as early as possible so as not to wait for the train, like me. By the way - at 11 am, tickets were sold only for the train with departure at 13:30, and at 13:00 - only at 16:00; so, having arrived at the station by lunchtime, it is quite possible to make it to the top only by sunset. And all this was in early November, that is, not yet at the height of the tourist season.
Main attraction district of Urka(Urca) is, of course, sugarloaf mountain(Pao de Azucar). The rock rising in Guanabara Bay, along with the statue of Christ the Redeemer, is the second most popular postcard scene in Rio. The lower station of the cable car is located on Pasteur Avenue (Avenida Pasteur, 520), from where the trailers first reach the intermediate station on the Morro da Urca hill (217 m), and from there to the top of the Sugar Loaf (395 m). 
Having reached the top, I decided to wait for sunset there and look at the sunset and night Rio - judging by the reviews, this is best done from the Sugar Loaf. Looking at the panorama of Rio at night from the top of the Sugar Loaf, you begin to understand why this city is considered one of the great cities in the world. There is something mesmerizing in this spectacle - the hills in the evening haze, and the ocean rolling on the city beaches and even the favelas climbing up the hillsides. 
By the way, about greatness: Rio managed to visit not only the capital of Brazil (when the capital of the Viceroyalty of Brazil was transferred here from El Salvador), but even the capital of the entire Portuguese colonial empire - when in 1808, fleeing from Napoleon, the Prince Regent of Portugal fled to Brazil Don Juan VI together in all his yard.
How to get to the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado: first take buses 180, 405, 422, 497, 498, 569, 570, 580, 583, 584 to the train station Cosme Velho, then by train to the upper station Cristo Redentor; the price of a train ticket to Mount Corcovado is 50 reais round-trip.
How to get to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain: the bottom station of the cable car is located on Pasteur Avenue (Avenida Pasteur, 520). The ticket price for both cable cars (to the Morro da Urca station and further to the Sugar Loaf) is 62 reais round-trip. Theoretically, you can skip the first cable car and walk to the transfer station, enjoy the views and merge with nature - but this will not affect the price of the ticket, and climb high there.
It is known that the city of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main cities in Brazil, especially for tourists. In addition, he retained the former glory and beauty of the capital until 1960. The statue of Jesus Christ amazingly decorates the city, gives everyone a sense of security. It glows at night and can be seen from afar. I lived far away, under the mountain, but even from there I watched the bright purple light of Jesus hovering at night.
However, the statue is not visible from all parts of Rio de Janeiro. The mountain on which it stands is called Corcovado, translated as “hump”. It is really curved in this form and is perfect for the construction of such a masterpiece. Its height is 704 meters!
How was the monument invented?
I was wondering where the origins of the sights come from. In 1885, a railroad was made to Mount Corcovado, and a steam locomotive began to fly up. It was the very first electrified road in Brazil! At first, the transport came in handy to take the cargo. Over time, it has become the main transport artery for tourists.
It all started back in 1922. It was the year of the centenary since the country gained independence, and then it was decided to create a unique monument that will become a symbol of Brazil. What will make the country even more famous?
There was a competition for the best offer. The idea of Hector da Silva Costa was liked by all the members of the jury. It was an unequivocal decision, approved by the Catholic diocese. The city gained protection in the form of the hands-birds of Jesus Christ. The monument was built with the money of parishioners too.
I am very interested in the fact that a “Monument Week” was held, as a result of which the people of Brazil themselves raised money by a coin. Even today the amount is significant - 250 thousand dollars. At that time it was a lot of money. This showed the obvious interest of the common people in the construction of the monument and the enormous solidarity of the Brazilians. The entire construction took 9 years. The sculpture was made in France. There was even an idea to make Jesus Christ who holds the globe in his hands, but the final version was invented by Paul Landowski. A master from Romania, George Leonida, also worked on it. Many factors were taken into account, first of all, that a thunderstorm, rain and strong wind at a height should not disturb the statue.
The history of the creation of the monument
The sculpture was transported across the ocean in a disassembled state. I was delighted that all 10 years of construction the sculptors selflessly and ascetically lived in the forest on the mountain under a simple canopy. It turned out a miracle! The height of the statue's pedestal is 8 meters, so the total height of the monument is 38 meters. On Mount Corcovado, a total weight of 1145 tons had to be lifted. Of these, the gigantic Jesus Christ weighs 635 tons.
It is interesting that the sculpture is constantly exposed to wind, rain and lightning, it is good that this was taken into account during construction.
Damaged areas are quickly restored, for this the church keeps a supply of similar stones. The material of the statue is reinforced concrete and talc chloride. Even the strongest hurricanes in Rio do not touch the statue. There is an idea that it is protected by divine power. From a scientific point of view, the soapstone at the base of the material simply extinguishes lightning. In October 1931, its grand opening took place. The monument was illuminated by Pope Paul 6 in 1965.
The history of the creation of the illumination of Jesus Christ
The illumination of Jesus Christ was also created only in 1930. First, they asked a professional from Rome to conduct it in a completely extraordinary way with the help of a radio wave. They did, but during the rain the equipment began to work poorly, and I immediately had to replace it with a local, simpler one.
Only in 2000, after all the work on the restoration of the monument, modern and best lighting was finally completed. Today, the monument of Jesus Christ appeared before me as new, clean, snow-white, without traces of corrosion, with luxurious stone stairs and railings, brightly lit with colored lights at night.
How to get to the statue
It is easier to get to the statue of Christ on your own without any tours. There is a metro nearby. The fare is approximately 1.5 dollars (5 reais). Get to Largo do Machado station and right at the exit, take one of the buses to Corcovado.
For example, bus No. 583 and No. 584 go back to the monument from Capacabana beach. Buses No. 570, 583, 574 go from Ipanema. The final stop is called Cosmo Velho, from where transport goes to the mountain. The fare is the same as the metro. Responsive locals are always happy to suggest the right bus.
Travel agencies for a fee of 12-15 dollars (40-50 reais) will take you there in half an hour by minibus upstairs if you are unable to stand in line for the train.
Climb up
Upstairs, to the statue itself, you can get in several ways:
- All day they sell tickets for a train that makes its way straight through the jungle along a serpentine uphill - even quite scary. The cost of the trip is $15 (50 reais).
- Another option is a bus that goes along the usual road up, also in the middle of the forest.
For me, traveling by train is much more romantic, especially since the windows are open and the movement is almost vertical among the trees. Below, mountain cliffs, forest hollows and ocean views gradually opened up in front of me. This is the Tijuca National Park, the largest forest area on the planet with an area within the city. I kept expecting to see a monkey or some other animal along the way.
There is a rather long queue for the train, tickets are sold for a specific time.
From 8.30 am to 18.30 pm, a train departs every 20 minutes. The capacity of the train, even from two cars, is large, and the queue goes quickly. I have watched people from all over the world patiently waiting for the rise. It's easy to make interesting acquaintances in line. Everywhere in the hall there are huge videos showing the train journey through the forest and what awaits you at the top. It's inspiring!
There is a small shop right in front of the entrance. I went there just to admire or to buy a small or medium statue of Christ as a souvenir worth 10-30 dollars (30-100 reais). There are other souvenirs with Brazilian symbols on average for 6 dollars (20 reais). Having waited in line, I rode on a train of two carriages; at stops, tireless merchants made money on those who did not have time to buy water. In my opinion, it is better to take the necessary food and soft drinks with you in advance.
Sites near the statue of Christ
It remains to walk from the station only 40 meters, and you, like me, will find yourself next to the wonder of the world. I climbed exactly 220 steps, it's quite easy. Such moments are remembered for a long time.
The staircase has a special name - "Karakol" or "Snail". There are also escalators, but it's not so interesting! In my opinion, the statue has a special inner strength, invested in it both by the creators, parishioners, endless visitors, and by the image itself. Millions of people are attracted here, the line does not stop. The height of Jesus is 30 meters, the width of the arms embracing the city is 23 meters. The left hand is directed to the northern part of Rio de Janeiro, and the right hand to the south side of the city. Thus, the statue is almost opposite the center.
Standing nearby, it no longer seems that the monument is large, you don’t even want to think about it, you get a feeling of solemnity of the moment and a desire to be alone with the statue, which is impossible. I had the feeling that he really hugs everyone with love. Near Jesus is snow-white.
Overview of Rio de Janeiro from Mount Corcovado
The view from above of the coastline and the city is stunning, with thin clouds slowly drifting through the statue. According to my observations, it is better to choose a sunny day, this is very important. In clear weather, the view will be stunning - all the beaches and the coastline of the most beautiful city are at a glance! Moreover, the observation decks are made in a circle and you can observe Rio from different sides.
Usually I go around viewing platforms from all sides, because the picture is different everywhere. Of course, the most interesting thing is the line of the ocean. Before us was a view of the entire Ipanema beach, the Maracanã stadium and the nearest mountain range. Despite the abundance of people, you can always find a place for good photos.
I got to the observation deck on a cloudy day, but the view was still amazing. It was interesting for me to look at the world from above, to understand how small everything really is and that everything is different from the height of Jesus Christ: ordinary joys and problems are no longer so significant and big.
I am always a little tired of a large number of people, perhaps it is worth coming there in the morning, not in the afternoon. There are most people here during rush hour. Everyone should definitely take a standard photo with a statue of Christ behind, spreading their arms in the same way. A queue is forming.
Of course, and I succumbed to the general mood and took a standard photo. Although there are many original options to take a picture against the background of the monument. The sites are large and there is enough space for everyone to take the necessary view shots.
Back carries the same trailer, tickets are sold there and back. I got the feeling that people are rushing up the mountain to the monument just because it’s simply impossible not to come here while in Rio.
Chapel
The plinth of the statue is made of marble, where a small chapel is harmoniously inscribed. It was opened quite recently - in 2006 on the day of the 75th anniversary of the statue. The Archbishop of Rio, Cardinal of Rio de Janeiro, Euzebio Shade, consecrated the chapel, named after the patroness of Rio, Saint Senora Aparecida. It is convenient to carry out all church rituals in this chapel; 100 people can be there at the same time. A little lower is the church shop.
When I saw this chapel inside, I immediately wanted to enter. It was cool and blissful there, and most importantly, quite secluded, and I wanted to sit there for a while.
Statue of Jesus Christ for everyone
In my opinion, the statue deservedly entered in 2007 in the list of the seven New Wonders of the World. There are very good reasons for this: money and religious aspirations of ordinary residents of the country were invested in it, craftsmen from different countries and continents participated in its creation, it took a decade to build it. Installing a large monument at such a height, even with today's technology, is very difficult. However, the most important thing is the image that the statue carries and which attracts people.
For some reason, it is in Brazil, thousands of kilometers from the historical homeland of Jesus Christ, that his most famous monument was created, which perfectly reflects the consciousness of a holy person. This is unconditional and all-encompassing love for everyone and everything, which is the best protection. It is shown on a specific bright material example made of white stone, understandable for any person who has come to visit.
The Christ the Redeemer statue is the second largest art deco structure in the world. This monumental symbol of Christianity, the statue, spreading its 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 tend 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, Babylon, in Olympia, the mausoleum in Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and
The statue of Christ the Savior is a unique, but not the only building on our planet that deserves attention. In 2007, it was decided to create a list of notable contemporary architectural structures to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. Among them were the pyramids of Giza, Chichen Itza, Taj Mahal, Petra, Machu Picchu, the Colosseum and the statue of Christ the Savior. It is the latter that will be discussed today, so let's move to Brazil and see what is 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 Jewel Museum. Local beaches are even more famous: soft white sand and gentle ocean give real pleasure. The botanical garden with fountains and magnificent alleys is perfect for leisurely walks.
There are many 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 himself at the foot of a giant at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level.
A bit of history
Every year, thousands of tourists come to the city where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. This amazing statue does not leave indifferent even atheists who are far from the Christian faith.
The peak, on which the statue was later erected, was called the "Mountain of Temptation" back in the 14th century. Its unusual shape later led to a name change, and it became known as Corcovado, which means "hunchback" in Russian.
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. Not without reason, the city of Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the place where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. The stunning panorama of the city, the bay with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain and the openwork coastline is associated with nothing more 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 the construction of the 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 the 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 project of Heitor da Silva Costa: his statue expressed the idea of Christianity as much as possible, since the figure with outstretched arms resembled a cross.
I must say that the project has undergone some changes. After much debate, the engineers replaced the ball-shaped pedestal, symbolizing the earth, with a rectangular one. A small chapel was laid in it, which operates to this day. The pedestal was made of marble.
Location
Construction lasted about 9 years, from 1922 to 1931. It was truly a grandiose project. To create such a miracle as the statue of Christ the Savior, the country at that time was not technically ready, so it was decided to produce all the details in France, and then deliver them by rail to the top of Mount Corcovado. Here they were met by local craftsmen and sculptors who performed 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 path 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 mountain of 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 mighty protection of Jesus, spread out with a fantastic vision, from which the heart stops... 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 everything in existence is 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 such a service: a slow flight of the monumental figure of Christ in a circle. Its height together with the pedestal is impressive - 39.6 meters, and the arm span is 30 meters. The weight of the giant is over 1100 tons!
Time travel
To plunge into the era of the creation of the monument, you should use the old 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 over 100 years old, when the past decades appear before your eyes...
The journey will be slow and will give you the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views to your heart's content. Squeaky on turns and with difficulty overcoming a steep climb, the tram brings you to the foot of the stairs leading to the observation deck. Only 220 steps - and you are at the statue. From this angle, the pedestal looks much more imposing, in part because the natural pedestal is the mountain itself. Many talk about a special, mysterious aura that envelops the figure. It is difficult to disagree with this, because next to such a work of art you experience a mystical awe.
You should not luxuriate in bed for a long time if you decide to make a trip to the beautiful. 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 run the risk of getting 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 a tour.
There are no problems with transport here: every 30 minutes a train leaves the city, which delivers those who wish to the monument. The road will take quite a bit of 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 go up on foot or use the modern elevator. Today it is possible to climb the escalator or funicular, so if you have small children or elderly people with you, do not worry that the loads will be beyond their strength.
Do not rush to leave the site after viewing the statue: go on an excursion to the Museum of Naive 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 a lot of vivid impressions.
Statue doubles
The popularity of the monument led to the erection 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.
In Vietnam, a similar statue was erected with outstretched arms, 32 meters high.
In Indonesia, just a few years ago, the construction of a 30-meter monument of Christ was completed, and this despite the fact that the country is Muslim.
Time, nature, element
For less than 100 years, the statue has not experienced serious upheavals. Storms and hurricanes, destroying everything in their path, did not harm her, as did the lightning that often struck her. Someone attributes it to properties, others see it as a sacred meaning. In one of the strong thunderstorms, lightning broke off two fingers from the hand of Christ. The church keeps a stock of 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 Statue of Christ the Redeemer is eloquent proof of the greatness of Brazil: a magnificent work of art located in the most beautiful city in the world.
