Christ redeemer corcovado

Christ the Redeemer, atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most iconic monuments worldwide, symbolizing Brazil.

About this subject

Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ, located atop Corcovado Mountain at 710 meters above sea level in the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro. Inaugurated on October 12, 1931, after about nine years of construction, the statue stands 30 meters tall, plus an 8-meter pedestal, with arms stretching 28 meters wide. The project was designed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted by French artist Paul Landowski, with Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida creating the face. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and covered with thousands of small triangular soapstone tiles, chosen for their resistance to weathering.

The monument was first proposed in the 19th century, but only in 1920 did the Catholic Circle of Rio de Janeiro launch a fundraising campaign. Construction faced technical and logistical challenges, including transporting materials up a steep railway. The statue was inaugurated with a ceremony that included lighting the monument via radio signal, triggered by President Getúlio Vargas, a technological feat at the time. In 2007, it was elected one of the New7Wonders of the World in a global poll by the New7Wonders Foundation.

Culturally, Christ the Redeemer is a symbol of Christianity and an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. It attracts about 2 million visitors annually, making it the city's top tourist attraction. The statue has undergone several restorations, the most recent in 2019, when it was cleaned and repaired after lightning strikes and natural wear. In 2014, a lightning bolt damaged one of the thumbs, which was later restored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total height of Christ the Redeemer?

Christ the Redeemer is 38 meters tall, including the 8-meter pedestal. The statue itself is 30 meters.

When was Christ the Redeemer inaugurated?

It was inaugurated on October 12, 1931, after about nine years of construction.

What material covers Christ the Redeemer?

The statue is covered with soapstone, a weather-resistant material, cut into thousands of small triangles.