What is the Christ the Redeemer statue made of?

The Christ the Redeemer statue is probably the most famous monument in Brazil. When was the Christ the Redeemer statue built? The statue was completed in 1931, and it has since become a global icon. It has an average of 5,500 visitors a day, with a record of 20 thousand visitors during World Youth Day in 2013. Where is Christ the Redeemer located in Brazil? The statue is located in Rio de Janeiro, standing on the Corcovado Mountain. Christ the Redeemer, when was it built? This monumental project took nearly a decade to finish. The history of Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil reflects its significance as a symbol of faith and cultural pride. Today, the statue generates R$1.5 billion of profit per year.

The construction of this Rio de Janeiro statue took five years to complete and is located 710 meters above sea level on top of Corcovado mountain, at Tijuca National Forest.

Read more: What To Do in Rio de Janeiro: 70+ Tourist Attractions.

History about Christ the Redeemer

A railroad to the top of Corcovado mountain already existed since 1884. It led to a gazebo where people used to go to have a nice view of the city.

However, back in 1920, a catholic group in Rio de Janeiro started to gather donations for the construction of a monument on top of the mountain. Their initial idea was to build a statue of Jesus Christ with a cross and a globe representing the world. In the end, they chose the design for the Christ of the Redeemer we know today.

Carioca engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the project and French sculptor Paul Landowski carved the model. Construction of the Rio de Janeiro statue cost a total of 2,500 ‘contos de reis’, around R$9.5 million in today’s money.

With a railroad already available, the workers used a cogwheel train to transport materials and tools up the hill. Construction started in 1926 and it took five years to complete. Hence, an inauguration event took place on October 12, 1931.

Soapstone is the main material in the statue. Moreover, the monument measures  30 meters in height and 28 meters from hand to hand.

Fun Facts

• There is a popular belief that says Christ the Redeemer was a gift from France to Brazil. However, that is not true.
• Inside the statue, there is a carved heart measuring 1.30 meters.
• The materials and the workers were transported up the mountain on a cogwheel train during the construction of the statue.
• The head of the monument weighs 30 tons.
• From the viewing area, people can not see the statue’s feet. Nonetheless, they exist. The feet are fixed to the pedestal that supports the structure.
• The crown of the statue is actually made of lightning rods. During storm seasons, the monument is hit by an average of 20 lightning strikes per month.
• In 2021, Rio de Janeiro celebrated 90 years of the Christ the Redeemer statue.

New Seven Wonders of the World

A campaign to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World started in 2000 through a free online poll. People had to vote on their favorite from a list of 200 existing monuments. The winners were announced in July 2007.

In Brazil, private companies got together to organize the campaign Vote no Cristo (Vote for Christ) in order to encourage Brazilians to vote. As a result, the Christ the Redeemer Statue was indeed elected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro

Visit Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro

There are three ways you can visit the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro:

Corcovado train

Taking the Corcovado train is the most famous way to get to visit Christ the Redeemer statue. However, it is also the most expensive. An eco-friendly electric train cuts through the Atlantic Forest, making it an exquisite attraction in Rio de Janeiro itself. The price is up to R$110 as of 2022.

Vans

The Paineiras-Corcovado vans can take you to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro with different places of departure. You may take the van at Largo do Machado, Copacabana, Alto da Boa Vista, or Barra da Tijuca. The ticket, including the entrance to the monument, goes from R$30 to R$106, depending on the location and season.

Hiking

From Parque Lage, there is a trail going up the Tijuca National Forest that leads to the top of Corcovado mountain. From there, you will still need to pay for the entrance to Christ the Redeemer statue, but it is much cheaper than the other options, less than R$30.

Read more: Top 7 Hikes In Rio de Janeiro: Fun And Adventure!

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