Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is a giant statue of Jesus Christ that stands high above the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the most famous landmarks in South America and a symbol of peace and faith. The statue stands 98 feet tall, and its arms stretch 92 feet wide!

Construction began in 1926 and took about five years to complete. The statue was finished in 1931. It was built on top of Mount Corcovado, which is over 2,300 feet above sea level. Getting the materials up the mountain was very difficult. Workers had to carry parts by train and then by hand to reach the top.

The outside of the statue is covered with tiny triangle-shaped tiles made from soapstone, a smooth and shiny rock. Many of the workers and their families wrote messages on the back of the tiles, so their words are still hidden inside the statue today!

The inside of the statue is made of reinforced concrete, which is very strong. This helped the statue survive heavy storms, lightning, and even earthquakes. Engineers used early versions of 3D models and drawings to plan every detail. That makes it a great example of both science and art working together.

Artistically, the statue is beautiful. It was designed by a Brazilian engineer and a French-Polish sculptor named Paul Landowski. The figure of Christ with open arms is meant to show love and welcome people from all over the world. When the sun sets behind the statue, it looks like it’s glowing!

Today, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. People visit from everywhere to see its beauty and enjoy the amazing views from the top of the mountain.

Sources:

Britannica Kids. “Christ the Redeemer.” https://kids.britannica.com
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1100
CNN Travel. “Facts About Christ the Redeemer.” https://www.cnn.com/travel

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