The idea of building the Christ the Redeemer statue was first proposed in the mid-1850s. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the project gained momentum. In 1921, a group of Brazilian Catholics proposed the idea of building a statue of Christ on top of the Corcovado Mountain, which is situated in the Tijuca Forest National Park.
The design for the statue was created by a French sculptor named Paul Landowski, who was chosen from a group of ten international candidates. Landowski’s design was based on the theme of “Christ blessing the city,” and it took nine years to complete. The statue was opened to the public on October 12, 1931, and it quickly became one of Brazil’s most famous landmarks.
Architecture and design of the Christ the Redeemer statue
The Christ the Redeemer statue is an engineering marvel, designed to withstand strong winds, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. It is made of reinforced concrete, covered with a mosaic of soapstone, which gives the statue its distinctive look.
The statue has a height of 30 metres, with an additional eight-metre pedestal, making it a total of 38 metres tall. The outstretched arms of the statue span 28 metres, and the statue weighs approximately 635 metric tons.
The statue’s face and hands are made of cast bronze and are also coated with soapstone. The soapstone mosaic is held together by a system of steel cables, which helps to keep the statue’s skin in place.
Tourism and significance of the Christ the Redeemer statue
The Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a top tourist attraction in Brazil. Millions of visitors flock to Rio de Janeiro each year to see the statue and enjoy the spectacular views of the city from the top of the Corcovado Mountain.
The statue has become an important symbol of Christianity and a reminder of the role of Brazil in spreading the Christian faith. It has also been an inspiration for many people, not just Christians, but people from all walks of life.
- In 2007, the Christ the Redeemer statue was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This was the result of a global poll that included more than 100 million votes from around the world.
- In 2020, the statue became a beacon of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was illuminated with images of healthcare workers to show support for their tireless efforts in the fight against the virus.
