TOURISM: Christ the Redeemer
September 2, 2008 – 1:52 pm
Travel to Brazil
Christ the Redeemer is a famous statue of Jesus Christ. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is located on a mountain called Corcovado. What makes a statue so famous and important? There are many statues of Jesus Christ in the world. However, Christ the Redeemer is the tallest and greatest of them. It is so charming that the statue is the symbol of Rio de Janeiro city.
The open arms of Christ the Redeemer are accepted as a symbol of warm characteristics of Brazil people. From the every point of the country, the statue is visible. It is also icon of Christianity.
Construction of Christ the Redeemer Statue and Some Features of Statue
Constructing such a great statue was not a new idea. However, it stayed as an idea for a long time. In 1922 the construction began and it ended in 1931. Christ the Redeemer was opened in the same year, in 1931.
The statue was built with the donations of people. Catholics donated mostly. The design of the statue symbolizes cross, globalization and the entire world. Christ the Redeemer is 38 meters tall and it is approximately 630 tons. The open arms of Christ the Redeemer are 30 meters long.
French sculptor Paul Landowski built the statue. The design of the statue belongs to Heitor da Silva Costa. For construction concrete was used. Additionally, it was covered with a special mixture.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is one of the largest statues of the world. It is so great that in 2007 it was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was chosen with the votes of people and when the election was held there were many campaigns for the statue. The votes carried it to top and now it is listed as one of the wonders of the world.
The statue gave inspire for other constructions. Sculptures and architects built similar statues. Pico Isabel de Torres in Dominic Republic is one of the examples of these constructions.
Visiting Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is located on the top of Corcovado Mountain. Below the mountain there is Tijuca Forest National Park. The scenery from the mountain and from the park is very beautiful. You can reach to the top of the mountain by railway.
Different organizations are held to attract more people to the area and to the statue. In 1999, Australian bungee jumper Felix Baumgartner jumped from the right hand of the statue. Organizations similar to that are held.
Every year, Christ the Redeemer statue is visited by millions of people. Since its construction, the great statue experienced harsh times. Lastly, in 2008 the statue was struck by a lightning. However, it still keeps its form.