Which city has the Christ the Redeemer statue?
Quick answer
The Christ the Redeemer statue (Cristo Redentor) overlooks Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the top of Corcovado mountain, about 700 m (2,300 ft) above the city. Completed in 1931, the statue is 30 m (98 ft) tall, plus an 8 m pedestal, and its arms stretch 28 m wide.
Key facts
- City
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Completed
- 1931
- Height
- 30 m, plus an 8 m pedestal
- Arm span
- 28 m
Who built it?
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Heitor da Silva Costa | Brazilian engineer who designed the statue |
| Paul Landowski | French sculptor who created the design |
| Gheorghe Leonida | Romanian sculptor who made the face |
| Albert Caquot | French engineer who helped with the structure |
The statue is made of reinforced concrete covered in thousands of small triangular tiles of soapstone, chosen because it’s durable and easy to work with. Construction took about nine years, from 1922 to 1931.
Lightning strikes
Standing on a mountaintop, the statue is struck by lightning several times a year. Its fingers and head have been damaged and repaired; lightning rods help protect it.
Getting there
| Way | Details |
|---|---|
| Corcovado train | A cog railway through the Tijuca Forest, opened in 1884 |
| Vans | Official vans from several points in the city |
| Hiking | Trails through the forest, best with a guide |
Clouds often cover the summit, so clear mornings are the best time to visit. The views include Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana beach and Guanabara Bay.
A symbol of Brazil
The statue is a symbol of Rio and of Brazil, and it’s lit up in different colors for special occasions and causes. It’s also a sanctuary: a small chapel at its base hosts weddings and baptisms.
Rio’s other famous sights
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), reached by cable car
- Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
- The Sambadrome; see what the Rio Carnival is
- The Maracanã stadium, which hosted World Cup finals in 1950 and 2014
For another of the New Seven Wonders, see where Machu Picchu is and where the Colosseum is.
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