Christ the Redeemer

The colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city of Rio de Janiero. Photo Xavier Donat.

Rio Christ Statue

Crowds gather at the base of the statue. Photo Jason Pearce.

Christ the Redeemer and a cloudy sky. Photo Megan & David Powell.

Head of Christ the Redeemer

The face of Christ the Redeemer. Photo Márcio Cabral de Moura.

Robe

Detail of Christ's robe, made of concrete and soapstone. Photo Jason Pearce.

Hand

The hand of Christ. Photo Jason Pearce.

View From

View over Rio from Christ the Redeemer. Photo Mark Goble.

Completed in 1931 and standing 120 feet tall, Christ the Redeemer (O Cristo Redentor) in Rio de Janiero is the second largest statue of Christ in the world. It was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

History

The idea of placing a large Christian monument atop Corcovado peak in Rio dates back to the 1850s, when a local Catholic priest requested funds from Princess Isabel to build one. The princess was not enthusiastic and the plan was scrapped entirely with the founding of the Republic of Brazil in 1889, which separated church and state.

In 1921, the Catholic Circle of Rio began to collect signatures and donations for a privately-funded Christian monument. Various designs were considered, including a large cross and a statue of Christ holding a globe, but ultimately an image of Christ with his arms wide open was chosen.

Construction began in 1922. The statue of Christ the Redeemer was designed by local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted from concrete and soapstone by Paul Landowski, a Frenchman. After nine years and a cost of $250,000, the statue opened to the public on October 12, 1931.

To celebrate Christ the Redeemer's 75th anniversary in 2006, a chapel dedicated to the patron saint of Brazil (Nossa Senhora Aparecida) was built at the base. The statue was struck by lightning in February 2008 during a major electrical storm, but escaped any damage due to the insulating properties of soapstone.

What to See

Cristo Redentor depicts Christ with his arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture, representing his role as redeemer of the world. It stands 120 feet high including the pedestal and is 98 feet wide. Made of concrete and soapstone and sculpted in a modern style, it weighs a total of 635 tons.

Standing on a peak over 2,000 feet high, Christ the Redeemer is famed for its magnificent views over the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The small Chapel of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (2006) at the base of the statue hosts weddings, baptisms and Mass on Sundays. There is a cafe near the statue.

Getting There

Christ the Redeemer is located on Corcovado peak (710 m/2329 ft) in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro. The monument is accessible by road and a cog railway (3.8km), which provides fine views along the way. From the parking lot or train terminus, visitors have a choice of 220 steps or a system of elevators to reach the statue. The last train departs from Corcovado at about 6:15pm.

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	Christ the Redeemer; O Cristo Redentor
Location:	Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, Brazil
Category:	Colossal Statue
Faith:	Christianity
Denomination:	Catholic
Status:	active
Date:	1922-31
Patron:	Catholic Circle of Rio and private donations
Architect:	Heitor da Silva Costa; Paul Landowski
Architecture:	Modern
Size:	Height (with pedestal): 38 m (120 ft) Width: 30 m (98 ft) Weight: 635 tons

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	22.95152° S, 43.210782° W (view on Google Maps)
Cost:	Free
Photography:	Permitted
Facilities:	Cafe
Public transport:	Cog railway departs at regular intervals.

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of Christ the Redeemer. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Brazil Map.

Article Sources

Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:

Ben Box, Footprint South American Handbook 2009, (Bath: Footprint Handbooks, 2008), 416.
Christ the Redeemer (statue) - Wikipedia (August 2009)

Article last updated: 08/15/2009.