History of Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
The idea for the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro was initially proposed by the Vincentian priest Pedro Maria Boss in the mid-1850s. His proposal was to erect a monument on Mount Corcovado to honor Princess Isabel, the daughter of Emperor Pedro II. While the initial project was not approved, the concept was later revived.
The statue was designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa along with French engineer Albert Caquot, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931 using reinforced concrete and soapstone.
Christ the Redeemer is a 98-foot (30-meter) Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Including its 26-foot tall pedestal, it stands 125 feet (38 meters) tall and weighs 635 metric tons.The statue’s arms span 92 feet (28 meters) wide, symbolizing peace.
A global icon, it’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007) and a Brazilian cultural landmark. Conservation efforts, including lightning protection upgrades after a 2014 strike, have been added to ensure its preservation.
Traveling to Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Located in Tijuca National Park, it offers panoramic views of Rio, including Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Maracanã Stadium.
The statue is accessible by the Corcovado Rack Railway, a 2.4 mile (3.8 km) electric train ride through Atlantic Forest, or by hiking trails, and draws nearly 2 million visitors annually. A chapel at the base, consecrated in 2006, hosts Masses and events.