Christ the Redeemer is one of the largest and most famous statues in the world. The statue stands on Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It portrays Jesus Christ with arms outstretched, as if to embrace the faithful. The monument stands 125 feet (38 meters) high, with the statue itself about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. The distance between the figure’s fingertips is about 92 feet (28 meters). The sculpture is made of reinforced concrete with an exterior made of soapstone.
Christ the Redeemer has become one of the major tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro. At 2,330 feet (710 meters) above sea level, the site of the statue offers a magnificent view of the city and its harbor. Visitors can reach the top of the mountain by road or railway. Access to the base of the statue is provided by escalators, by elevators, or by climbing 222 stairs. There is a small chapel in the base.
The idea of erecting a statue on Corcovado Mountain dates back to 1859. In 1921, the archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro began a campaign to build the monument. The French sculptor Paul Landowski designed the statue. The Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa supervised the project. Work on the statue began in 1927, and the monument was officially inaugurated on Oct. 12, 1931.
