Standing atop Corcovado Mountain with arms outstretched over Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer has become one of the most recognizable religious monuments in the world.
Origins of the Idea
The idea for a monument overlooking Rio dates back to the 1850s, when a Catholic priest first proposed a religious statue on Corcovado Mountain, though the idea didn’t gain traction at the time. The concept resurfaced in the 1920s, championed by the Catholic Circle of Rio, partly as a response to what was perceived as growing secularism, and partly to mark the centennial of Brazil’s independence from Portugal in 1822.
Design and Construction
Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa led the project, working with French sculptor Paul Landowski, who designed the statue’s head and hands. The statue was built using reinforced concrete and clad in soapstone (soapstone was chosen for its durability and resistance to extreme temperatures). Construction took approximately nine years, beginning in 1922 and finishing in 1931, funded largely through donations.
Scale and Engineering
The finished statue stands about 30 meters (98 feet) tall, with an arm span of around 28 meters (92 feet), and rests on an 8-meter pedestal. Building at such a remote, elevated location presented major logistical challenges, with materials transported up the mountain by rail.
Inauguration
Christ the Redeemer was formally inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It quickly became a symbol of Brazilian Catholicism and, over time, of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil as a whole.
Recognition as a Modern Wonder
The statue was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 (as part of the Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes listing) and was voted one of the New7Wonders of the World in 2007, cementing its status as a global icon alongside monuments like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
Christ the Redeemer Today
Millions of visitors ride the Corcovado Rack Railway or take a van up the mountain each year to stand at the statue’s base, often on days offering dramatic panoramic views of Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Guanabara Bay below.
Visiting Rio? Stay Connected in Brazil
Whether you’re heading up Corcovado Mountain or exploring Rio’s beaches and neighborhoods, a travel eSIM gets you online in Brazil instantly — no local SIM card hunting required, so you can navigate the city and share the view from the top without interruption.