How a statue of Christ was built in Brazil. The tallest statues of Jesus Christ in the world, which many have never heard of. History of the creation of the monument
In Brazil, on the top of Mount Corcovado stands one of the Seven New Wonders of the World - the statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro. From the observation deck at the feet of the statue, made in the art deco style, a panorama of the city of ten million with its sights and beaches opens up. The laconic figure of Christ the Savior (Cristo Redentor) in the form of a protective cross ranks fifth in size among a number of similar monuments located around the world. This monument is known as a religious and cultural symbol of Brazil.
Arm span and head tilt
The outstretched arms (span 28 m) of Jesus seem to be striving to embrace the whole world, simultaneously blessing and patronizing. The height of the monument is about 40 m, of which 8 m is on the marble pedestal-base, with a chapel located inside. The Colossus of Jesus is made of reinforced concrete, covered with a mosaic of triangular tiles of light soapstone (soapstone).
The head of the statue is bowed towards the people, and the figure opens its arms in the direction of the sunrise. Contrary to the prevailing opinion of tourists that the monument is visible from anywhere in Rio de Janeiro, the figure even at the foot of the mountain seems small. At night, the statue is illuminated and is no less attractive for filming. It is noteworthy that, as the highest point in the area, the statue of Christ in Rio receives about four lightning strikes per year, and the lightning rods built into the head and arms undergo periodic maintenance.
Neighborhood
The view of the landscape from the observation deck at the feet of the statue is most impressive at sunrise and sunset, and at this time there are a minimum number of tourists. It should be noted that the panorama of the surrounding area is clearly visible in clear July weather - at other times of the year there is often fog. In the picturesque area of Tijuca National Park there is a statue of Christ the Redeemer - Rio de Janeiro is the owner of the world's largest forest area (39.51 km 2), located within the city (1260 km 2).
The iconic Corcovado mountain rises 710 m above sea level, but in the west of the park there is a higher granite massif - Pedra da Gavea , 842 m). Rio is a major port on the Atlantic coast, in the east of which the entrance to Guanabara Bay is preceded by Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pan di Azucar, 396 m). In the language of the local Tupi aborigines, Pan di Asucar means “guardian of the bay” - you can get to the top by cable car.
In the western zone there is the longest beach in the city, 18 km long, Barra di Tijuca - a year-round paradise for surfers. Of particular note is the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, which has access to the Atlantic Ocean through a canal and is not suitable for swimming, but is used for international rowing competitions.
The sports spirit of the Brazilians is noticeable from the top of Mount Corcovado across the “bowl” of the largest football stadium, the Maracanã, located in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro. Another passion of the locals is expressed in the huge venue in the city center - the Sambadromo Marques de Sapucai. This is a kind of stage, a continuation of the main street and arena for the world famous Carnival, the fun and bright colors of which are silently watched by the statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro every year.
History of creation
Thanks to the beautiful panoramic view opening from the top of the mountain, a local Catholic priest first came up with the idea of installing a monument in the mid-1850s, which was effectively continued only 70 years later. The monument, which took about 9 years to create, was inaugurated in October 1931 and since then has attracted about two million tourists every year. The details of the monument were made in France, and after delivery to Brazil, they climbed to the top of the mountain by railway, built at the end of the 19th century (1885).
The monument is periodically restored. Below is a fascinating video filmed by the workers.
How to get there
The railway (3800 m) is still functioning and regularly delivers tourists from the Cosme Velho metro station every 30 minutes to the foot of the monument - the final point is located 40 m from the statue. Overcoming the steep climb to the top of the mountain, two electric trains run, delivering 360 passengers per hour to Jesus.
There is a road through the national park, which is best taken by public transport - taxis are allowed up to a certain point. Minibuses run regularly along the route from the square near the Largo do Machado metro station, where tickets are sold at the ticket office. The most resilient tourists travel by bicycle, but according to reviews, it is wisest to hire a personal guide with a car.
From the place where passengers disembark from the transport, you have to walk 220 steps along the winding Karakol staircase, nicknamed the “snail”. The statue of Jesus Christ in Rio has been carefully equipped by local authorities with elevators and escalators. Helicopter excursions starting from the Sugar Loaf monolith leave an unforgettable impression on tourists. The cost of a few minutes of flight is $100 per person.
Benefits and restrictions
Payment for admission to the Monument of the Savior for 2015 by paying for a trip on an electric train in both directions:
- for persons over 60 years old - $22;
- for other categories of adults it will cost $56–68 depending on the season and weekdays;
- Children under 5 years old travel free on a parent's lap, for 6–11 years old the cost is $44.
An important fact is the provision of 50% discounts on student tickets.
Due to the sacredness of the monument, persons with pets and in revealing clothing (swimsuits, T-shirts, shorts) are not allowed to visit the top of Mount Corcovado. Professional photography and video filming should be carried out only with the permission of the national park administration. If you plan to return to the city on foot along forest paths, it is vitally important to take care of a local guide. In addition to lush natural beauty and impressive landscapes, Rio de Janeiro has many architectural monuments located in the historical center of the city.
The majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This grandiose structure on Mount Corcovado is a tourist symbol of Brazil, classified as one of the new wonders of the world. The height of Corcovado is 800 m, and the famous statue installed on its top is 38 m (along with an 8-meter marble pedestal).
A giant statue of Christ with outstretched arms with a span of 28 m looks like a cross from a distance. Despite its weight exceeding a thousand tons, the monument looks elegant. From its foot a stunning panorama of the city opens up, which is admired by about 2 million tourists every year.
Making a statue of Christ
The name of the mountain translates as “Humpback”. In 1859, she was seen by the Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss, who visited Rio de Janeiro. He approached the Brazilian princess Isabel of Braganza with the idea of building a large sculpture of the Savior on top of the 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.
The idea was returned to in 1921, on the eve of the centennial anniversary of the country's independence. There was still no government money for the construction, especially since by that time the church was 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 required amount, then the planned construction of a monument to Christopher Columbus on Mount Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) would be cancelled. Brazilians are not very fond of Columbus, considering him to be the culprit of the Portuguese colonization of the country. In a short time, they managed to collect 2.2 million flights (that’s how the Brazilian currency real was pronounced in the plural at that time), so the monument is a real people’s 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, which in the distance resembles a huge cross: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” According to his idea, the Savior was supposed to stand on a spherical pedestal, symbolizing the Earth. However, the technical difficulties of the implementation forced us to settle on 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 sculpture itself were made in France, which had greater technical potential than Brazil. The materials used 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 and his assistants.
The finished components were delivered to Rio de Janeiro. This is where the old railway line came in handy. Along it, the details of the sculpture were raised to its future location - the top of Corcovado, where the final installation was carried out.
Construction took 9 years instead of the planned year.
The monument was inaugurated and consecrated in 1931.
- Towering above the surrounding area, the statue regularly receives lightning strikes. They, however, did not cause serious damage to the monument. It was also spared by the extreme storm of 2008, which destroyed nearby neighborhoods in Rio. Believers tend to associate this fact with the holiness of the place. The prosaic explanation comes down to the excellent dielectric properties of soapstone. The local Catholic diocese has a permanent supply of it.
- After Christ the Redeemer statues 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 called “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 City Day, the statue received new lighting, consisting of 300 computer-controlled LED spotlights. It allows you to optimally select the radiation intensity and color scheme of each of them.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer makes a particularly stunning impression at night. The illumination creates the effect of light radiation coming from a 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 always, even to the end of the age.”
From the foot there is an impressive panorama of Rio de Janeiro with the Baía da Guanabara bay, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Pão de Açúcar mountain and the Estádio do Maracanã stadium. True, not in rainy weather, when only fog and clouds are visible.
In the marble plinth of the pedestal there is a small chapel where services, baptisms and weddings are regularly held. There is a souvenir shop nearby. It's not hard to guess the most popular souvenirs. In the city they are much cheaper.
Cristo Redentor is one of the most popular travel brands. Spectacular filming 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. You can get to the top of Mount Corcovado from the city center by taxi or funicular. A train of two carriages runs from 08:30 to 18:30 every half hour, and delivers tourists to the mountain in 20 minutes. The cost of a round trip ticket is 51 BRL (Brazilian reals).
Both of these vehicles pass through Parque Nacional da Tijuca, the largest urban forest on the planet. 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, weak and elderly people. A convenient alternative is the escalator built in 2003. Wealthy travelers have the opportunity to book a helicopter excursion for 150 USD.
Where isChrist statue? Description of the main attractionBrazil.
The many faces and beauty of Rio de Janeiro
Brazil. Samba and the roar of Iguazu Falls, the sparkling beaches of Florianópolis and the muddy waters of the Amazon, the famous Trancoso resort with its castles and estates and, of course, football.
Rio is the country's largest metropolis and a recognized center of tourism and football. The city is interesting with many museums, monasteries and churches. Here you will see magnificent modern skyscrapers, luxurious villas and favelas clinging to the mountain slopes - illegal neighborhoods with dangerous slums and red light districts - fans of crime action films might see them in the movie "Fast and the Furious 5".
You should definitely take a look at the Selaron staircase leading to St. Teresa's Cathedral. The steps of the staircase are lined with a mosaic of multi-colored tiles from all over the world. The creator of the staircase had a magnificent mustache - it is unknown what attracted tourists more. Unfortunately, not so long ago the artist was found dead right on the steps of the cathedral.
Christ statuephoto
Road to Jesus: the path to the top of Corcovado
The symbol of Rio de Janeiro and perhaps the main attraction of Brazil is the majestic monument depicting Christ the Savior crowning Mount Corcovado. The almost vertical slope is a natural seven hundred meter continuation of the pedestal of the giant sculpture. The Savior’s gaze is directed to the city spread out at the foot of the famous hill, the port of Cristo Redentor, and, perhaps, the whole world.
The imperturbable colossus welcomes about two million guests a year. Crowds of tourists rise to its foot every day, despite the fact that the road is not so easy. You can overcome the climb yourself - take a walk through the nearby Tijuca Park - it is considered the largest urban forest. Here you can try to offer your company to nimble monkeys, iguanas and even small but beautiful hummingbirds.
But only the bravest ones overcome the slope on foot... And the thrifty ones. Those who value comfort will be taken by taxi along the winding road. The classic option for 43 reais is an electric train with small creaky carriages, which in twenty minutes will take those interested through Tijuca Park directly to the foot of the statue. But that's not all - more than two hundred steep steps await visitors there. Well... Or you can take the escalator.
How to see pictures from postcards
To avoid crowds, it is better to sacrifice a couple of sweet morning dreams. But you will be rewarded with the opportunity to unobstructedly admire the magnificent views of Guanabara Bay, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the world-famous beaches of the carnival city and the Maracana Stadium (yes, the same one that hosted two world football championships).
By the way, the view of the monument itself is also beautiful, but it is better to admire it from another peak that rises directly above the bay. Pan di Azucar, or “Sugarloaf”, is of interest to tourists and can delight you with photographs that can compete with all the glossy pictures that you have seen so far. The helicopters, like giant dragonflies circling around Jesus, add a strange flavor to the view. Helicopter tours are becoming increasingly popular: $150 can buy you 10 minutes of an unforgettable experience.
No less interesting is the view of the Corcovado and Christ hills in the evening - the night illumination system changes the picture beyond recognition. By the way, the lighting was modernized relatively recently - in 2000.
Before ending your visit to the famous sculpture, it is worth visiting the small Catholic chapel hidden in a marble pedestal. The chapel is operational; all religious services and rituals are held there.
Some facts
By historical standards, the Sculpture of Christ the Savior is a relatively young shrine. Money for its construction was collected for the centenary of Brazilian independence, but the construction of the monument dragged on for 9 years. Some parts were made in France. The opening and consecration took place in 1931.
The Catholic diocese preserved the stock of stone from which the shrine was made, and, as time has shown, not in vain. Being the highest point for many kilometers around, the structure attracts lightning. The landmark had to be restored twice already.
And just recently, the symbol of Brazil's largest city was desecrated. In 2010, while the monument was closed to visitors due to the danger of landslides, unknown vandals managed to climb the 40-meter statue and decorate the monument with inscriptions of their choice.
Of course, it is unlikely that this somehow offended Christ the Savior. Rather, it only confirmed that our world really needs to be saved. But it’s still very good that all the inscriptions were promptly removed. It’s hard to imagine Jesus shining against the blue sky, frozen in an attempt to embrace the planet, decorated with neatly written graffiti: “cat on the roof, mice dance.” Well, it’s somehow not suitable for a magical postcard calling you on your way.
Important information aboutstatue of ChristVBrazil: opening hours, prices, currency.
Operating mode:
annually from Monday to Sunday from 8.30 to 19.00
Ticket prices:
1 adult ticket - 43 reais (over 65 years old - 4.4 euros).
1 child ticket (up to 12 years old) – 1.5 euros ( up to 6 years - free ).
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer (port. Cristo Redentor) is the famous statue of Christ with outstretched arms on the top of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. It is a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general. The statue of Christ the Redeemer can rightfully be considered one of the most majestic buildings of mankind. Its size and beauty, combined with the panorama opening from the observation deck at the foot of the statue, will take the breath away of anyone who happens to be there.
It stands on top of the Corcovado hill at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level. The height of the statue itself is 30 meters, not counting the seven-meter pedestal, and its weight is 1140 tons. The idea for this structure originated in 1922, when the centenary of Brazilian independence was celebrated. A well-known weekly magazine then announced a competition of projects for the best monument - a symbol of the nation. The winner, Hector da Silva Costa, came up with the idea of a sculpture of Christ with his arms outstretched and embracing the entire city.
This gesture expresses compassion and at the same time joyful pride. Da Silva's idea was received with enthusiasm by the public also because it crossed out the previous plan to erect a grandiose monument to Christopher Columbus on Mount Pan de Azucar. The church immediately got involved, organizing a fundraiser across the country to finance the project.
An interesting detail: due to technological imperfections, it was not possible to create such a statue in Brazil at that time. Therefore, it was manufactured in France, and then transported in parts to the site of future installation. First by water to Brazil, then by miniature railway to the top of Mount Corcovado. In total, construction cost the equivalent of 250 thousand US dollars at that time.
Before work began, architects, engineers and sculptors met in Paris to discuss all the technical problems of installing the statue on a hilltop, where it was exposed to all winds and other meteorological influences. Work on the design and creation of the statue took place in Paris. It was then transported to Rio de Janeiro and installed on Corcovado Hill. On October 12, 1931, its first grand opening and consecration took place; by this day, the lighting installation was also installed.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI repeated the consecration ceremony, and the lighting installation was also updated for the occasion. Another great celebration took place here in the presence of Pope John Paul II on October 12, 1981, when the fiftieth anniversary of the statue itself was celebrated.
The statue of Christ the Savior is considered one of the modern wonders of the world. The height of the stone monument is 30 meters, not counting the seven-meter pedestal; the head of the statue weighs 35.6 tons; the hands weigh 9.1 tons each, and the arm span is 23 meters. Built in 1885, the tram line now leads almost to the top of the hill: the final stop is just forty meters below the statue. From there you need to climb 220 steps of a staircase to the pedestal on which the observation deck is located.
In 2003, an escalator was opened that takes you to the foot of the famous statue. From here you can clearly see the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema stretching on the right hand, and on the left the giant bowl of the Maracana, the world's largest stadium, and the international airport. From the sea side rises the unique silhouette of Mount Pan di Azucar. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a national treasure and a national Brazilian shrine.
The statue of Christ the Savior is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and weighs 635 tons. Due to its size and location, the statue is clearly visible from a fairly large distance. And in certain lighting, it looks truly divine.
But even more impressive is the view of Rio de Janeiro from the observation deck located at the foot of the statue. You can get to it by the highway, and then by steps and escalators.
Twice, in 1980 and 1990, major repairs were carried out on the statue. Also, preventative work was carried out several times. In 2008, the statue was struck by lightning and damaged slightly. Work to restore the outer layer on the fingers and head of the statue, as well as install new lightning rods, began in 2010.
It was then that the statue of Christ the Savior was subjected to the first and only act of vandalism in its entire history. Someone climbed onto the scaffolding and painted pictures and inscriptions on the face of Christ.
Every year, about 1.8 million tourists will climb to the foot of the monument. Therefore, when the new seven wonders of the world were named in 2007, the statue of Christ the Savior was included in their list.
Christ spread his arms over the huge city, as if blessing the millions of people living in it. Far below are houses, streets with colorful spots of cars, a long yellow strip stretching along the bay, and on the other side, bordered by green palm trees, is the famous multi-kilometer Copacabana beach. On the other hand of Christ you can see the no less famous bowl of the Maracana stadium", which was glorified by the Brazilian football wizards, five-time world champions, the international airport, and beyond the surface of the bay, on the other side, silhouettes of distant mountains are visible in the haze of fog.
Here, standing at the feet of Christ, you understand what an amazingly beautiful place the Portuguese conquistadors who foundedXVIcentury on the shores of Guanabara Bay fort, which very quickly became the city of Rio de Janeiro and the capital of the Viceroyalty of Brazil, one of the colonies of Portugal.
Only in 1822 did Brazil become an independent state, called first the Brazilian Empire, and from 1889 the Republic of Brazil. The capital of the state is Rio de Janeiro continued to be until 1960, when it lost this honor to the new city of Brasilia, but remained one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. No wonder the Brazilians themselves say about him this way: “God created the world in six days, and on the seventh he created Rio de Janeiro».
To be fair, it must be said that there are other similar majestic statues of Christ on Earth. In Italy, a huge stone Savior rises above the city of Maratea. In the Dominican Republic, on the island of Haiti - above the city Puerto Plata. But in Rio de Janeiro he is the most majestic and stands tallest...
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, she looks at the huge city below her with outstretched arms in a gesture of blessing. The Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, due to its fame, attracts millions of tourists to Mount Corcovado. From its height there is a beautiful view of the city of ten million with its bays, beaches, and the Maracana stadium.
Statue of Christ in Rio: history and description
In 1884, a small railway was built to the mountain, along which construction materials were delivered later. The reason for the construction of the Christ monument was the approaching anniversary of the centenary of Brazilian independence in 1922. A fundraiser 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, also actively participated 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 model, the statue of Christ was supposed to stand on the globe. The final design, 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 amazing dimensions, the total weight of the structure was 1145 tons.
The technologies of Brazil at that time did not allow most of the work to implement such a project, so all the parts of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil were created in France, from where they were safely delivered to Brazil and transported to the installation site via the constructed 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 took on the role of a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil. And in 2007 she was elected one of