Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is a massive Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from atop Corcovado mountain, and one of the most recognizable religious monuments in the world.
Ordinary Brazilian donors, not government funding, paid for a statue that would go on to become one of the most recognized religious monuments anywhere in the world.
A Design Competition
The statue was designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski, who won the commission after a design competition, working alongside Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa to bring the ambitious project to life atop one of Rio's most prominent peaks.
Funded by the Faithful
Construction, which took place between 1922 and 1931, was funded largely through donations from Brazilian Catholics, reflecting the statue's origins as a genuine grassroots religious and national project rather than a government initiative.
An Engineering Achievement
Standing 98 feet tall atop a pedestal on the 2,300-foot Corcovado mountain, the statue's arms stretch an impressive 92 feet wide, constructed from reinforced concrete and covered in a mosaic of soapstone tiles chosen for their durability against the elements.
A Feat Predicted by Lightning
Despite being struck by lightning on multiple occasions over the decades, including a notable 2014 strike that damaged one of its fingers, the statue's robust construction has allowed it to withstand nearly a century of Rio's tropical weather.
A Global Symbol
Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Christ the Redeemer has become an enduring and instantly recognizable symbol of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian Christianity worldwide.
