Standing with arms wide open on Corcovado Mountain, this attention-grabbing masterpiece wonder of the world is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which keeps on watching the view of this scintillating city. Constructed from concrete, this statue of Jesus Christ attains a mighty height of 125 ft or 38 m that makes you feel as if Jesus is always there for you. Let’s find out some interesting facts about Christ the Redeemer:
GIF: studiomk27.com.br
1. A Lengthy Construction
Although it seems like a less endeavoring task, in reality, it wasn’t. It took around 9 years from 1922-1931 to make this grand statue; mainly due to its cliff-like location.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: Wikimedia
2. Its First Proposal was Rejected!
A local priest, Pedro Maria Boss in the 1850’s, presented this thought in front of the finance department. However, the idea was rejected; as the idea behind its construction was found less feasible.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com
3. Finally, its Proposal was Accepted
The thought of creating it was halted in the 1850s, but as good thoughts can never die, the proposal of creating it got erupted by the Catholic Circle of Rio. By carrying the financial and moral support of the local people, the proposal was accepted.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com, Image: picryl.com
4. The Third Tallest Statue of the Almighty Jesus!
It is the 3rd tallest statue of Jesus in the world after Poland’s Christ the King and Bolivia’s Cristo de la Concordia.
Source: thejesusquestion.org, GIF: giphy.com
5. What Does it Symbolize?
The statue was made with the purpose to show that Christ loves all, spread peace, and to display the devotion of the city towards the almighty.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com, Video: Vimeo
6. Made with a Special Kind of Stone
To make a highly resistible statue, a special kind of rock was used. The stone was specially imported from Sweden, and hence with the blend of concrete and soapstone, this wonder was made.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com, Image: Flickr
7. Who Sketched it?
It was sketched by a French sculptor and son of a famous French sculptor Marcel Landowski named Paul Landowski.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: paul-landowski.com
8. Total Expenditure
It was a pretty expensive venture and thus was incurred $250,000, which is equal to $3.2 million today.
Source: softschools.com
9. How Much Does it Weigh?
As it was built using solid stones, it weighs around 635 tons.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com, Image: Pexels
10. Inclusion in Wonders List
After a long wait, in July 2007, the Christ Redeemer was inducted as one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Source: softschools.com, Image: Flickr
11. When Lightning Damaged it!
Back in 2008, a ferocious thunder strike damaged the head, eyebrows, and fingers. Thanks to the soapstone insulating feature, the majority of the lightning was earthed. The same stone from the same place was used in the reconstruction. On January 16, 2014, the lightning again damaged the finger of the statue.
Source: brazilcultureandtravel.com, Image: EPA
12. An Attempt to Vandalize the Statue!
In early 2010, vandals sprayed paint on the head and right arm of the statue. The local mayor proclaimed it a “crime against the nation,” and the offender was later identified.
Source: softschools.com
13. Many Modes to Reach There
Being the most attracting tourist spot, earlier people used to reach Christ the Redeemer by road or by walk, but in 2003, escalators and elevators were introduced to make it convenient for visitors.
Source: softschools.com, Image: Wikimedia
14. Best Time to Observe it
Often advised by the local people that the best time to see this wonder is either in the evening or at night; as it presents a sparkling view of the city.
Source: traveladvisortips.com, GIF: tenor.com
15. I’m on Top of the World!
In May 2014, a travel blogger named Lee Thompson did a valiant task by climbing atop to take a selfie with the Christ The Redeemer; wait, he took permission from the authorities before doing that.
Source: allwonders.com, Image: pinimg.com
16. A Cultural Icon
The towering “Cristo Redentor” (Christ the Redeemer), has become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Source: history.com
17. A Symbol of Christianity
The statue has also become a symbol of Christianity across the world.
Source: time.com
18. Rises from the Planet’s Largest Urban Forest
The statue of Redeemer rises from the tropical foliage of Tijuca National Park, which is considered the planet’s largest urban forest. Clear-cut once, the area was replanted by hand in the 1860s.
Source: National Geographic, Image: Flickr
19. Jesus Holding a Globe
The initial design of the statue showed Christ holding a celestial globe with one hand while carrying a large cross with the other.
Source & Image: BBC
20. Boyfriends’ Names on the Back of Jesus
Well! The construction of Christ the Redeemer involved many women volunteers who often added a personal touch to their work by writing messages or their boyfriends’ names on the back of the tiles.
Source & Image: BBC
21. Cameos in Several Movies
The statue has enjoyed cameos in several movies, including Bette Davis’s Now Voyager, Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious, and the vampire-themed Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part 1).
Source: National Geographic
22. A Favorite Wedding Destination
In 2006, the Catholic Church declared Christ the Redeemer a sanctuary, permitting couples to wed in the chapel at the base.
Source: National Geographic, Image: tumblr.com
23. Enjoy Christ’s Armpit!
Well! Christ’s Armpit is the name of a street party enjoyed by the locals. Christ’s Armpit, or “Suvaco do Cristo”, weaves its way beneath Corcovado in tribute to the outstretched arms overhead. Depicting a strong connection between the statue and those who live closest to it, crowds of dancers and drummers samba through the streets wearing T-shirts bearing the image of Christ, during the carnival.
Source: BBC, GIF: giphy.com
24. The World’s Biggest Hug
In October 2010, Conselho Nacional Do Sesi, the national council of social services in Brazil, ran the world’s biggest hug; using the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Projections of cityscapes and 3D imagery were used to create the illusion that Christ was closing his arms around the city; raising public awareness of the impact of sexual abuse on children and teenagers, and encouraging the development of healthy relationships of trust.
Source: theinspirationroom.com, Video: Vimeo
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