Christ the Redeemer (statue)
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"Christ the Redeemer"
Corcovado's Statue of the Christ
Christ the Redeemer ("Cristo Redentor" in Portuguese) is a 30-meter monument statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, located on Corcovado mountain. The statue stands at the top of the 710-meter mountain, a granite dome, overlooking the city. The statue has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.
The planning for the construction of the statue began in 1921, when a campaign was organized by the "Semana do Monumento" ("Monument Week"). Monetary contributions were donated from Catholics and other entities. The designs considered for the Statue of the Christ included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue with a globe in the hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world. The form of the image of the Redeemer with opened arms was chosen.
The execution of the workmanship (from French schematics) was done by a Polish sculptor Paul Landowski.
The statue can be accessed by road or by the Corcovado Rack Railway. From the train terminus and road, the observation deck at the foot of the statue is reached by 222 steps, or by elevators and escalators.