Christ the Redeemer (statue)
Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor), is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was built between 1922 and 1931 and stands 30 metres (98 ft) tall. It sits on a 8 metres (26 ft) pedestal on the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft)
History
changeThe first electric railway in Brazil was built in the late 1800s. At that time people would go to the top of the Corcovado Mountain to enjoy the panoramic view of the city below.[1] Construction started in 1926 and took five years.[1] During that time workers balanced themselves on scaffolds with no safety equipment.[1] It was risky work but during the entire construction period, no workers were killed.[1] Many regarded that as a miracle.[1] The statue was finished in 1931.[2] It was built to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Brazil's independence from Portugal.[3] The statue was built in France by the sculptor Paul Landowski.[3] He never came to Rio to see the sculpture in place.[3]
21st century
changeThe statue underwent a $4 million renovation in 2010.[4] Since then it has been damaged by lightning at least two times.[4] Repairs in 2014 added more lightning rods to prevent future damage from lightning.[4]
The statue is maintained by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.[5]
Related pages
change- Christ the Redeemer of the Andes
- Cristo Redentore, Christ the Redeemer of Maratea, Italy
- Christ of the Ozarks in Arkansas, United States: a 20 metre high statue inspired by Christ the Redeemer
- Christ of Havana in Havana, Cuba: a 20 metre high statue inspired by Christ the Redeemer
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Christ Statue & Sugar Loaf". Rio City Tour. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices eds. J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2010), p. 2725
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Madson Araujo. "Christ the Redeemer Statue — The 11 Most Interesting Curiosities". My Rio Travel Guide. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Daily Mail reporter (19 October 2015). "Lord, it's a long way down! Workers repair Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue after its finger was damaged by lightning". Daily Mail Australia. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ↑ Associated Press (18 January 2014). "Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer struck by lightning". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
Other websites
change
- Christ the Redeemer Construction Facts Archived 2015-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
- 7 Largest Statues in the World
