The Statue of Christ the Redeemer is the second largest art deco structure in the world. This monumental symbol of Christianity, the statue, spreading its arms over the city, is the main decoration of the city. So, which city was honored to have a unique monument? What country? The statue of Christ the Savior is installed in Rio de Janeiro. Tourists tend to visit Brazil to see it with their own eyes.
Seven Wonders of the World
Everyone knows the amazing art of the ancient world: the Egyptian pyramids, the Sphinx, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The statue of Christ the Savior is a unique, but not the only building on our planet that deserves attention. In 2007, it was decided to create a list of notable contemporary architectural structures to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. Among themwere the pyramids of Giza, Chichen Itza, Taj Mahal, Petra, Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum and the statue of Christ the Savior. It is the latter that will be discussed today, so let's move to Brazil and see what's interesting here.
Rio de Janeiro - the pearl of Brazil
Every tourist dreams of visiting this fantastic city. European architecture, a sea of lights, luxury jewelry stores and even a Jewel Museum. Local beaches are even more famous: soft white sand and gentle ocean give real pleasure. The botanical garden with fountains and magnificent alleys is perfect for leisurely walks.
There are many architectural monuments in Rio that you can visit, and the most famous among them is the statue of Christ the Savior on Mount Corcovado. You can see it hundreds of times on TV or on the Internet, but you will never experience the awe that covers everyone who finds himself at the foot of a giant at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level.
A bit of history
Every year, thousands of tourists come to the city where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. This amazing statue does not leave indifferent even atheists who are far from the Christian faith.
The peak, on which the statue was later erected, was called the "Mountain of Temptation" back in the 14th century. Its unusual shape later led to a name change, and it became known as Corcovado, which means "hunchback" in Russian.
BIn 1859, before a series of research expeditions, the clergyman of the Catholic Church, Pedro Maria Boss, visited here. Captivated by the picturesque beauty of these places, he decided to erect a statue of Christ on the mountain, which would serve as a symbol of protection and protect the city. Not without reason, the city of Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the place where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. The stunning panorama of the city, the bay with the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain and the openwork coastline is nothing short of a picture of a modern paradise.
Project competition
The church was not ready to implement such a large-scale project at its own expense, so the project was postponed and the construction of the railway began, which was supposed to help in the delivery of building materials.
In 1921, a festival called "Monument Week" was organized. During the event, donations were collected for the construction.
Since the city where the statue of Christ the Savior found its permanent place was so actively involved in the implementation of this plan, it was decided to announce a competition for the best project. Architects and engineers immediately responded, offering dozens of different options for consideration. The city administration chose the project of Heitor da Silva Costa: his statue expressed the idea of Christianity as much as possible, since the figure with outstretched arms resembled a cross.
I must say that the project has undergone some changes. After much debate, the engineers replaced the ball-shaped pedestal, symbolizing the earth, with a rectangular one. A small chapel was laid in it, which operates andto this day. The pedestal was made of marble.
Location
Construction lasted about 9 years, from 1922 to 1931. It was truly a grandiose project. To create such a miracle as the statue of Christ the Savior, the country at that time was not technically ready, so it was decided to produce all the details in France, and then deliver them by rail to the top of Mount Corcovado. Here they were met by local craftsmen and sculptors who performed the assembly. The figure is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
On October 12, 1931, the grand opening and consecration of the statue took place. From the final path of the railway to the top of the mountain, a winding staircase was made, consisting of 220 steps, along which numerous pilgrims, tourists and citizens climbed. Since then, on the majestic mountain of Corcovado, rising 704 meters above sea level, in a mysterious haze of clouds and fog, there has been a beautiful statue of Christ the Savior. The city, under the mighty protection of Jesus, spread out with a fantastic vision that makes the heart skip a beat … The statue has become a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Description
The idea of the figure of Christ standing with outstretched arms suggests that everything in existence is in the hands of the Lord. The statue can be seen from anywhere in the city, at any time of the day. It looks especially charming in the rays of the setting sun from the helicopter window. Private companies provide such a service: a slow flyby of the monumental figure of Christround. Its height together with the pedestal is impressive - 39.6 meters, and the arm span is 30 meters. The weight of the giant is over 1100 tons!
Time travel
To plunge into the era of the creation of the monument, you should use the old transport, preserved since 1896. The antique-looking tram still runs today, connecting the upper and lower levels of the city. Just imagine that it is over 100 years old, and the past decades appear before your eyes…
The journey will be slow and give you plenty of great views. Squeaky on turns and with difficulty overcoming a steep climb, the tram brings you to the foot of the stairs leading to the observation deck. Only 220 steps - and you are at the statue. From this angle, the pedestal looks much more imposing, in part because the natural pedestal is the mountain itself. Many talk about a special, mysterious aura that envelops the figure. It’s hard to disagree with this, because next to such a work of art you experience a mystical thrill.
Recommendations for tourists
Don't stay in bed too long if you decide to take a trip to beauty. The statue of Christ the Savior is located in one of the most visited cities, so the influx of tourists here is very large. Closer to noon, you run the risk of getting stuck in line for a long time. Both the lift, the tram, and the stairs themselves have limited capacity, so early morning is the best time for the tour.
There are no problems with transport here: every 30minutes, a train leaves the city, which delivers those who wish to the monument. The road will take quite a bit of time, about 20 minutes. If you do not want to part with your personal transport, then there is a good parking lot at the foot of the statue. From here you can go up on foot or use the modern elevator. Today it is possible to take an escalator or funicular, so if you have small children or elderly people with you, do not worry that the loads will be beyond their strength.
Do not rush to leave the site after visiting the statue: go on a tour of the Museum of Naive Art, walk through the magnificent forest on your own or in the company of a guide. Clean air, clear rivers and lakes, exotic wildlife - all this will give you a lot of vivid impressions.
Statue twins
The popularity of the monument led to the construction of a number of later analogues. In Lisbon, in the mid-90s of the twentieth century, a 28-meter statue was erected. Instead of a 700-meter mountain, an 80-meter high pedestal was used.
In Vietnam, a similar statue was erected with outstretched arms, 32 meters high.
In Indonesia, just a few years ago, the construction of a 30-meter monument of Christ was completed, and this despite the fact that the country is Muslim.
Time, nature, elements
For less than 100 years, the statue has not experienced serious upheavals. Storms and hurricanes, destroying everything in their path, did not harm her, as did lightning, which often struck her. Someone attributes this to the properties of soapstone, others see sacred meaning in this. In one of the strong thunderstorms, lightning broke off two fingers from the hand of Christ. The church keeps a stock of the stone from which the monument was made, and reconstruction of this most valuable historical object is expected in the near future.
Cultural heritage is a reflection of the people who created it. The Christ the Redeemer statue is eloquent proof of the greatness of Brazil: a magnificent work of art located in the most beautiful city in the world.
