Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Finished in 1931

“Cristo Redentor” is Portuguese for Christ the Redeemer, the name given to the statue of Jesus Christ, considered to be the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the summit of Mount Corcovado 700m (2,300 ft), in the Tijuca Forest National Park. It is 30m (98 ft) tall, not including its 8m (26 ft) pedestal, and its arms stretch 28m (92 ft) wide creating a cross like statue. The statue was designed by a Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted by a Frenchman Paul Landowski. It is made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, and was constructed between 1926 and 1931 with a total weight of 35 tons. Its focal location overlooking the city creates an outstanding beauty that has a guaranteed place among the Seven New Wonders of the World.

Cristo Redentor is a brilliant symbol of Brazilian Christianity. The project was first presented by the Vincentian priest Pedro Maria Boss in the 1850s. Boss suggested placing a Christian monument on Mount Corcovado to honor Isabel, princess regent of Brazil and the daughter of Emperor Pedro II, but the project was not approved. The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro made a second proposal in 1921 and this time Brazilians petitioned on behalf of the construction of the statue. President Epitácio Pessoa granted permission and the foundation stone of the base was ceremonially laid on April 4, 1922 in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Brazil’s independence from Portugal.

The timeless scenery of the Cristo Redentor has been celebrated in countless songs and poems and has become the symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. It is compared with the greatness of the Taj Mahal, and the richness of Machu Picchu. However, of all of the wonders of the world, the Cristo Redentor is one of the very few that was built in the 20th century. The design was chosen in a competition of 1922.  The designer and engineer first commissioned was Heitor da Silva Costa, later chosen in collaboration with the French sculptor Paul Landowski, who has been credited as the primary designer of the figure’s head and hands. Funds were raised privately by the Catholic Church but the process was very slow. Under Silva Costa’s supervision, construction finally began in 1926 and was completed and dedicated on October 12, 1931.

Over the years the statue has undergone periodic repairs and renovations, including preparations for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Brazil in 1980. Technology has improved the experience adding accessibility with escalators and panoramic elevators and maintains its original 220 steps. Cristo Redentor is a very welcoming statue with his arms stretched open waiting for all people to go uphill in the miniature red train that goes through the Atlantic Rainforest up to the base. On the statue’s 75th anniversary, a chapel at its base was consecrated to Our Lady of Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. Not only can the Cristo Redentor offer a magnificent view of Rio but it can also offer an unforgettable spiritual experience as tourists make the highly recommended 220 step climb. Now, it is getting ready to witness with a first row view the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Olympic Games, and most importantly the visit of Pope Francis I on World Youth Day 2013.

1. Elon International Studies Brazil. “Christ the Redeemer.” N.p. Web 26 March 2013 http://org.elon.edu/brazilmagazine/2004/article3.htm.
2. Encyclopedia Britanica. “Christ the Redeemer.” N.p. 26 March http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1435544/Christ-the-Redeemer.
3. Rio de Janeiro–Brazil. “Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.” N.p. Web 26 March 2013 http://www.votecristo.com.br/english/.
4. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “Christ the Redeemer (statue).” N.p. Web 25 March 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_(statue).