home Secrets of medicine Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro: a modern wonder of the world. Christ statue in Brazil

Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro: a modern wonder of the world. Christ statue in Brazil

It is one of the largest, and definitely the most famous statue of all, embodying the image of the Son of God. Main symbol In Rio de Janeiro and Brazil as a whole, the statue of Christ the Redeemer has attracted a huge number of pilgrims and tourists for many years. And in Brazil it is included in the list of the seven modern wonders of the world.

The reinforced concrete statue of Christ, towering over Rio de Janeiro, was made using the classical technology of that time: inside there is a frame made of inexpensive materials, on the outside there is some kind of sculptural stone, in this case soapstone. The height of the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer is thirty meters. Another eight meters is the pedestal. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the largest statue of Jesus Christ - it is 14 meters lower than the total height of the Polish statue of Christ the King, and two and a half meters lower than the Bolivian sculpture Cristo de la Concordia.

Home distinctive feature The statues are with arms outstretched wide - upon closer inspection, Christ the Redeemer blesses the city, looking at it with his head slightly bowed. But from a distance, the sculpture takes on the appearance of a huge cross - the main symbol of redemption and Christianity. The famous arm span of the Redeemer reaches 28 meters - a length almost equal to the height of the sculpture without a pedestal. The appearance of Christ is classical, accepted in Catholic and Orthodox traditions- thin, slightly elongated face with prominent cheekbones, long hair, beard. Jesus is dressed in a Jewish tunic, with pieces of fabric thrown over his shoulders.

History of creation

The idea to build a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, which at that time was the capital of Brazil, came to the local government in 1921 - a year before the centenary of Brazilian National Independence. The end of the 19th century gave the world several state symbols - the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in the USA in 1886, and the Eiffel Tower in France in 1889. Brazilians have also long dreamed of their own outstanding monument, but there were not enough government funds for this. But the centennial anniversary of the independent state of Brazil united members of the government, ordinary residents, and church ministers - money for construction was collected throughout the year, through a special subscription from the Cruzeiro magazine.

The amount collected amounted to two and a half million miles and was immediately sent to France - it was there that the parts of the statue were to be made. Since 1923, individual parts of the Redeemer were delivered to Rio de Janeiro by rail, and then, using an electric train, they climbed Mount Corcovado - the construction site chosen through a survey of the same Cruzeiro magazine.

The construction of the statue of Jesus Christ continued for nine whole years - the grand opening took place on October 12, 1931, on the same day the sculpture was officially consecrated.

Authors of the project

Brazilian sculptor Carlos Oswald designed general form the future monument back in 1921 - even then Jesus stood with outstretched arms like a cross, his head slightly bowed, but instead of the usual pedestal, under his feet, according to the sketch, there should have been a globe. The sketch was approved, but during further processing of the project this idea had to be abandoned - the ball under the sculpture weighing 600 tons, located on the mountain, seemed very unstable and short-lived. The final form of the future statue of Jesus Christ was developed by the famous Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa - it was his project that was eventually sent to the French. In the photo below is Silva Costa with a miniature of the future statue.

In France, more than 50 architects, sculptors and engineers worked on the details of the statue. The head and hands of Christ were modeled by the famous Parisian sculptor Paul Landowski - it took a year, and then, for another six years, the head was made by Gheorghe Leonid, an artist-sculptor of Romanian origin, based on the created models. The final cladding of the statue was carried out by Carlos Oswald, the same author of the first drawing of the future statue.

Exact location of the monument

The most accurate answer to the question of where the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer is located is the address of the monument. In the official guide to Rio de Janeiro it reads like this: National Park Tijuca, Alto da Boa Vista village, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, in any navigator it is enough to write the name of the statue - this object is too famous not to be found.

Path to the Redeemer

There are several ways to get to the statue - when coming to Rio for the first time, many people travel to the monument along the highway by car or public transport. This method is fast, but not very interesting. Experienced tourists recommend going up to the statue of the Redeemer by electric train - the first in Brazil and the same one with the help of which parts of the future sculpture were delivered to Corcovada almost a hundred years ago. This path, although it will take a little longer, will certainly leave an unforgettable impression thanks to the picturesque landscapes and a leisurely climb to the highest point of Rio de Janeiro, where the statue of Jesus Christ is located. Since 2003, the ascent to the observation deck has been equipped with escalators - so now tourists with any physical abilities can climb to the Redeemer.

Church attitude

The main monument of Brazil is not only an architectural monument and a tourist attraction - it is an important religious site both for the believing inhabitants of Brazil and for Christians around the world. In addition to the very first consecration, on the opening day in 1931, the statue of Jesus Christ was re-consecrated in 1965 by Pope Paul VI himself, who came to Rio specifically for this purpose. In 1981, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the sculpture, it was again unofficially consecrated by Pope John Paul II, who came to the celebration.

In 2007, a service of Russian priests was held near the statue of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Church who arrived in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the friendly Days of Russia in Latin America. In 2016, ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church again arrived at the foot of the statue of the Redeemer, where Patriarch Kirill performed a prayer service in memory of Christians undergoing persecution.

Regularly - according to meteorologists, at least four times a year - the statue of the Redeemer is struck by lightning. This is not surprising, since the head of Christ is the most high point Rio de Janeiro and a kind of lightning rod. Unfortunately, lightning often leaves damage after strikes, but representatives of the Brazilian catholic church people are enterprising, and since the moment of construction they have kept a huge supply of unused soapstone, which is used every now and then in cosmetic restoration, without distorting the general appearance of the monument.

But not only nature encroaches on the beauty of the sculpture - in 2010, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was attacked by vandals. Unknown people they stained the face and hands of the monument with black paint and inscriptions. Fortunately, these outrages were instantly removed, and since then there have been regular security guards around the statue and a video surveillance system installed.

View of Corcovado Hill before the construction of the statue

The name Corcovado means "Brokeback Mountain", "Humpback". The hill received it for the shape of its peak, which is the highest point in the area. The idea of building a grandiose sculpture of Christ here appeared back in 1859, but then its implementation was impossible, despite the persuasion of church leaders - the country simply did not have enough funds. The decision was postponed until better times. In 1884, the construction of a small railway, which led to the top of Corcovado.

Construction of the statue of Christ the Redeemer

In 1921, when the idea of the monument was remembered again, it was along these routes that materials were transported. A year before the celebration of the centenary of Brazil's independence from Portugal, Catholic organizations in Rio nevertheless initiated the construction of the statue. Such a sculpture was supposed to become a symbol of national liberation and Christianity in general.

However, no money was allocated from the state treasury, so during the so-called “Monument Week”, charitable donations were collected from citizens. Latest idea I liked the construction of the monument; in a short period, more than 2.5 million reais were collected. The church community also made large donations.

Stairs leading to the Statue

Artist Carlos Oswald was the author of the first sketch. It was he who came up with the idea of building a sculpture with outstretched arms, which from a distance would resemble a large cross. This gesture means "Everything is in God's hands" and is also a symbol of blessing. Initially, according to the project, the figure of Christ stood on a spherical pedestal, a stylized Earth. However, it was very difficult to make such a large, stable structure, so the engineer Hector de Silva Costa changed the base to a rectangular one, which was erected.

It was planned to complete the construction in a year, but due to the scale of the work, it took 9 years, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer was opened only in 1931. For technical reasons, it was impossible to produce such a large sculpture in Brazil at that time, so the steel frame and other parts were made in France. The main materials were reinforced concrete and soapstone (soapstone). Interestingly, the final modeling of Jesus’ hands and head was done by a French, not a Brazilian specialist, Paul Landowski.

The finished parts were transported to Rio and transported by rail to the top of the mountain, where installation was carried out. In 1931, the statue was solemnly presented to the townspeople. The first consecration was carried out on the opening day, and the second one in 1965 by Pope Paul VI. The lighting was installed at the same time.

Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is the tallest object in the entire area, so every year it repeatedly falls victim to lightning strikes. The local diocese even keeps a supply of facing soapstone in case urgent repairs are needed. However, since 2010, when the monument was equipped with new lightning rods, not a single serious damage from lightning has been recorded.

It is interesting that during the installation of this grounding, the sculpture was subjected to the only attack in its history by vandals. Having climbed the scaffolding at night, they painted the face and hands of Christ with black paint. Traces of hooliganism were promptly removed by the construction team.

The fact that for so many years lightning has never seriously damaged the statue is associated by believers with the special holiness of the place. However, scientists are more skeptical, because soapstone is a good dielectric, capable of almost instantly extinguishing even a very strong discharge. On numerous photos you can see impressive moments of lightning striking the statue, which, however, did not cause any damage to it.

The train that brings most tourists does not reach the sculpture itself - you will have to walk from the carriage to the observation deck. A winding, steep staircase of 220 steps leads there. This building was nicknamed “Karakol”, which means “Snail”. Since 2003, travelers have the opportunity to visit the observation terrace using an escalator.

In 2007, the monument was included in the list of Seven Wonders of the World modern world according to the results of the national vote.

Under the statue of Christ the Redeemer there is a small church where services, baptisms and weddings are constantly held. The Catholic chapel can accommodate up to 100 people. There is a souvenir shop nearby.

Wherever you go in Rio, this statue will be visible from anywhere in the city, so the monument is easy to use as a landmark. Modern illumination at night creates a stunning effect: it seems that the light comes from inside the figure and Christ hovers over the falling asleep city, blessing it.

For many travelers, as well as local residents, the sculpture is not only a landmark, but also a Christian shrine. There is a belief that by climbing the steps of the stairs, a person is purified, and by the time of his visit to the top, his sins are forgiven. However, the escalator here was still installed for the elderly and those with special physical needs or poor health.

Doubles of the Redeemer

After the erection of this statue in different countries similar monuments began to appear around the world:

Christ the King, Lisbon (Portugal);
Jesus with outstretched arms, Vung Tau (Vietnam);
sculpture of the Savior, Monado (Indonesia, Sulawesi);
monument in Dili (East Timor);
similar sculptures are found in Honduras, Malta, Italy and the Dominican Republic.

These figures differ from each other in detail, but the general composition and pose remain unchanged. Some of the sculptures are even installed underwater, which makes them mysterious and mystical.

How to get there

To visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer, you need to drive to the foot of Mount Corcovado. A small electric train departs from there and will take you straight along the route. Along the way, he will make several stops where everyone can buy, for example, water, which is sold by enterprising locals.

You can also get here by highway using car rental or taxi services. Either way, you will pass through the picturesque Tijuca Park. This is the world's largest forest plantation within a city. Local exotic plant varieties grow here and the fauna is richly represented.

Cost and procedure for visiting

The price of a train ticket is about 51 reais. Don't forget to bring money for souvenirs; however, they are quite expensive at the Corcovado observation decks. The cost of transfer down is already included in the ticket price. You will need to present it twice, so it is strongly recommended that you keep your travel document intact until the end of your trip. From the train or car you will have to walk along Ulitka or use the escalator.

The electric train runs every 20 minutes from 8.30 to 18.30. It is advisable to choose the morning on a clear day for sightseeing. This way you can avoid the midday heat and lots of other tourists while enjoying panoramic views of Rio.

If you wish, you can book a helicopter tour to the monument and admire it from a bird's eye view. The cost of such entertainment is about $150.

The official address of the attraction is: Parque Nacional da Tijuca - Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Opening hours - from 8.00 to 19.00.

When traveling to Brazil, you should definitely visit this famous monument. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is stunning in scale and beauty; from the top of Corcovado there is a magnificent view of the city.

View of Rio

The Statue of Christ the Redeemer is the second largest Art Deco structure in the world. This monumental symbol of Christianity, the statue with outstretched arms over the city, is the main decoration of the city. So, which city was honored to have a unique monument? What country? The statue of Christ the Savior is installed in Rio de Janeiro. Tourists are eager to visit Brazil to see it with their own eyes.

Seven Wonders of the World

Everyone knows amazing monuments of art Ancient world: Egyptian pyramids, the sphinx, Semiramis, at Olympia, the mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and

The statue of Christ the Savior is a unique, but not the only structure on our planet that deserves attention. In 2007, it was decided to create a list of famous modern architectural structures to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. These included the pyramids of Giza, Chichen Itza, Taj Mahal, Petra, Machu Picchu, the Colosseum and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It’s the latter that we’ll be talking about today, so let’s move to Brazil and see what’s interesting here.

Rio de Janeiro - the pearl of Brazil

Every tourist dreams of visiting this fantastic city. European architecture, a sea of lights, luxury jewelry stores and even a Jewelry Museum. The local beaches are even more famous: delicate white sand and the gentle ocean give true pleasure. The botanical garden with fountains and magnificent alleys is perfect for leisurely strolls.

There are a lot of architectural monuments in Rio that you can visit, and the most famous among them is the statue of Christ the Savior on Mount Corcovado. You can see it hundreds of times on TV or on the Internet, but you will never experience the awe that covers everyone who finds themselves at the foot of the giant at an altitude of 704 meters above sea level.

A little history

Every year thousands of tourists come to the city where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. This stunning sculpture does not leave indifferent even atheists who are far from the Christian faith.

The peak on which the statue was later erected was called “Mountain of Temptation” back in the 14th century. Her unusual shape later led to a change of name, and it became known as Corcovado, which translated into Russian means “hunchback”.

In 1859, before a series of research expeditions, the clergyman of the Catholic Church, Pedro Maria Boss, visited here. Captivated by the picturesque beauty of these places, he decided to erect a statue of Christ on the mountain, which would serve as a symbol of protection and protect the city. It is not without reason that the city of Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the location where the statue of Christ the Savior is located. The stunning panorama of the city, the bay with the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain and the lacy coastline are associated with nothing other than a picture of a modern paradise.

Project competition

The church was not ready to implement such a large-scale project at its own expense, so the project was postponed and construction of a railway began, which was supposed to help in the delivery of building materials.

In 1921, a festival called "Monument Week" was organized. During the event, donations were collected for construction.

Since the city where the statue of Christ the Savior found its permanent place was so actively involved in the implementation of this plan, it was decided to announce a competition for the best project. Architects and engineers immediately responded, proposing dozens of different options. The city administration chose the design of Heitor da Silva Costa: his statue maximally expressed the idea of Christianity, since the figure with outstretched arms resembled a cross.

I must say that the project has undergone some changes. After much debate, engineers replaced the ball-shaped pedestal, symbolizing the earth, with a rectangular one. A small chapel was built there, which is still in use today. The pedestal was made of marble.

Location

Construction lasted about 9 years, from 1922 to 1931. It was truly a huge project. At that time, the country was not technically ready to create such a miracle as the statue of Christ the Savior, so it was decided to produce all the parts in France and then deliver them by rail to the top of Mount Corcovado. Here they were met by local craftsmen and sculptors who carried out the assembly. The figure is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.

On October 12, 1931, the grand opening and consecration of the statue took place. From the final route of the railway to the top of the mountain, a winding staircase was made, consisting of 220 steps, along which numerous pilgrims, tourists and townspeople climbed. Since then, on the majestic Mount Corcovado, rising 704 meters above sea level, in a mysterious haze of clouds and fog, there has been a beautiful statue of Christ the Savior. The city, under the powerful protection of Jesus, spreads out with a fantastic vision that makes your heart skip a beat... The statue has become a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

Description

The idea of the figure of Christ standing with outstretched arms suggests that all things are in the hands of the Lord. The statue can be seen from anywhere in the city, at any time of the day. It looks especially charming in the rays of the setting sun from the helicopter window. Private companies provide this service: a slow flight around the monumental figure of Christ in a circle. Its height together with the pedestal is impressive - 39.6 meters, and its arm span is 30 meters. The giant weighs more than 1100 tons!

Time travel

To immerse yourself in the era of the creation of the monument, you should use ancient transport, preserved since 1896. The antique-looking tram still runs today, connecting the upper and lower levels of the city. Just imagine that it is more than 100 years old, and the past decades immediately appear before your eyes...

The journey will be slow and will give you the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views. Creaking on turns and struggling to overcome the steep climb, the tram brings you to the foot of the stairs leading to observation deck. Just 220 steps - and you are at the statue. From this angle, the pedestal looks much more impressive, partly because the natural pedestal is the mountain itself. Many people talk about a special, mysterious aura enveloping the figure. It’s hard to disagree with this, because next to such a work of art you experience mystical awe.

You shouldn’t luxuriate in bed for a long time if you decide to take a journey to beauty. The statue of Christ the Savior is located in one of the most visited cities, so the influx of tourists here is very large. Closer to noon, you risk being stuck in line for a long time. Both the lift, the tram, and the stairs themselves have limited capacity, so early in the morning - best time for an excursion.

There are no problems with transport here: every 30 minutes a train leaves the city and takes those interested to the monument. The journey will take very little time, about 20 minutes. If you do not want to part with your personal transport, then there is a good parking lot at the foot of the statue. From here you can climb on foot or use a modern elevator. Today it is possible to take an escalator or cable car, so if you have small children or elderly people with you, do not worry that the load will be too much for them.

Don’t rush to leave the site after viewing the statue: go on an excursion to the Museum of Naïve Art, walk through the magnificent forest on your own or in the company of a guide. Fresh air, transparent rivers and lakes, exotic wildlife - all this will give you many vivid impressions.

Doubles of the statue

The popularity of the monument led to the construction of a number of later analogues. In Lisbon in the mid-90s of the twentieth century, a 28-meter statue was erected. Instead of a 700-meter mountain, a pedestal 80 meters high was used.

A similar statue with outstretched arms, 32 meters high, was erected in Vietnam.

In Indonesia, just a few years ago, the construction of a 30-meter monument to Christ was completed, and this despite the fact that the country is Muslim.

Time, nature, elements

For less than 100 years, the statue did not experience any serious shocks. Storms and hurricanes that destroyed everything in their path did not harm her, nor did the lightning that often struck her. Some people attribute this to properties; others see it as sacred meaning. To one of severe thunderstorms lightning broke off two fingers from Christ's hand. The church keeps a reserve of the stone from which the monument is made, and reconstruction of this most valuable historical object is expected in the near future.

Cultural heritage is a reflection of the people who created it. The Christ the Redeemer statue is an eloquent proof of Brazil's greatness: a magnificent work of art located in the most beautiful city in the world.

The majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This grandiose structure on Mount Corcovado is a tourist symbol of Brazil, classified as one of the new wonders of the world. The height of Corcovado is 800 m, and the famous statue installed on its top is 38 m (along with an 8-meter marble pedestal).

A giant statue of Christ with outstretched arms with a span of 28 m looks like a cross from a distance. Despite its weight exceeding a thousand tons, the monument looks elegant. From its foot a stunning panorama of the city opens up, which is admired by about 2 million tourists every year.

Making a statue of Christ

The name of the mountain translates as “Humpback”. In 1859, she was seen by the Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss, who visited Rio de Janeiro. He approached the Brazilian princess Isabel of Braganza with the idea of building a large sculpture of the Savior on top of the Corcovado. He was supported in the church environment, but the state did not have the opportunity to finance such an expensive project. The idea was postponed until better times, but for now they limited themselves to the construction of a railway line reaching the top of Corcovado.

The idea was returned to in 1921, on the eve of the centennial anniversary of the country's independence. There was still no government money for the construction, especially since by that time the church was separated from the state, which had become a republic.

Catholic organizations decided to add donations from citizens to their own funds. They were told that if they managed to raise the required amount, then the planned construction of a monument to Christopher Columbus on Mount Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) would be cancelled. Brazilians are not very fond of Columbus, considering him to be the culprit of the Portuguese colonization of the country. Behind a short time managed to collect 2.2 million flights (so in plural The Brazilian currency was then pronounced real), so the monument is a real people's project.

The winner of the competition announced by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro was local artist Carlos Oswald. He is the author of a sketch of a sculpture with outstretched arms, which in the distance resembles a huge cross: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” According to his idea, the Savior was supposed to stand on a spherical pedestal, symbolizing the Earth. However, technical difficulties in implementation forced us to stop at rectangular base, built by engineer Hector de Silva Costa.

The design and construction participants worked with great enthusiasm. Some of them even lived in tents near the construction site.

The components of the sculpture itself were made in France, which had greater technical potential than Brazil. The materials used were reinforced concrete and soapstone (called soapstone). The latter was specially imported from Sweden, from the Lymhamn field. The final modeling of the head and hands of Christ was carried out by the French specialist Paul Landowski and his assistants.

The finished components were delivered to Rio de Janeiro. This is where the old railway line came in handy. Along it, the details of the sculpture were raised to its future location - the top of Corcovado, where the final installation was carried out.

Construction took 9 years instead of the planned year.

The monument was inaugurated and consecrated in 1931.

Towering above the surrounding area, the statue regularly receives lightning strikes. They, however, did not cause serious damage to the monument. It was also spared by the extreme storm of 2008, which destroyed nearby neighborhoods in Rio. Believers tend to associate this fact with the holiness of the place. The prosaic explanation amounts to excellent dielectric properties soapstone. The local Catholic diocese has a permanent supply of it.
After Christ the Redeemer statues in Brazil sculptures similar in composition were installed in Lisbon, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Malta, Indonesia, Vietnam, and East Timor. There are even underwater sculptures called “Christ from the Abyss.”
The initial illumination was carried out using radio waves remotely controlled from Rome. The distance from it to Rio is 9200 km.

Modernity

The monument was restored three times - in 1980, 1990 and 2010. Night illumination was modernized in 1932 and 2000. In 2011, on City Day, the statue received new lighting, consisting of 300 computer-controlled LED spotlights. It allows you to optimally select the radiation intensity and color scheme each of them.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer makes a particularly stunning impression in dark time days. The illumination creates the effect of light radiation coming from a giant figure of the Savior descending into the city. Religious people remember His inspired words: “I am the light of the world...” and “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

From the foot there is an impressive panorama of Rio de Janeiro with the Baía da Guanabara bay, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Pão de Açúcar mountain and the Estádio do Maracanã stadium. True, not in rainy weather, when only fog and clouds are visible.

In the marble plinth of the pedestal there is a small chapel where services, baptisms and weddings are regularly held. There is a souvenir shop nearby. It's not hard to guess the most popular souvenirs. In the city they are much cheaper.

Cristo Redentor is one of the most popular travel brands. Spectacular filming of the monument can be seen in a number of films.

How to get there

The statue is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can get to the top of Mount Corcovado from the city center by taxi or funicular. A train of two carriages runs from 08:30 to 18:30 every half hour, and delivers tourists to the mountain in 20 minutes. The cost of a round trip ticket is 51 BRL (Brazilian reals).

Both of these vehicles pass through Parque Nacional da Tijuca, the largest urban forest on the planet. Both the car and the train do not reach the monument. A steep staircase of 223 steps leads to it. Climbing it is difficult for children, weak and elderly people. A convenient alternative is the escalator built in 2003. Wealthy travelers have the opportunity to book a helicopter excursion for 150 USD.

The most famous statue of Jesus on the planet is the statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. But anyone who thinks that it is the largest in the world is deeply mistaken. The statue on Mount Corcovado, overlooking Rio, is only the fourth largest statue of Christ on Earth. In our review the most tall statues, installed in honor of Jesus in different parts of the world.

1. Cristo Rey - Mexico, 20.5 meters

This statue of Christ is located in the geographical center of Mexico - on the 2700-meter mountain Cerro del Cubilete.

The statue was completed in 1944 and its style is attributed to the Art Deco movement. Now Cristo Rei is considered one of the most significant religious monuments in the country.

2. Statue of Christ the Savior - Maratea (Italy), 21.23 meters

The statue, also known as Cristo Redentore di Maratea, was made of white and blue-gray marble taken from a quarry near the city of Carrara.

Unlike some other statues, which were built with donations from the public, Cristo Redentore was built with the help of one man, Piedmontese entrepreneur Stefano Rivetti.

3. Cristo de las Noas (Mexico), 21.8 meters

The statue was named after the hill on which it was erected - Cerro de las Noas. Construction of the 580-ton statue began in 1973 and was completed only seventeen years later.

At its foot is a restaurant that is considered one of the most popular among residents of the city of Torreon.

4. Christ of the Pacific (Peru), 22 meters

The Cristo del Pacifico was President Alberto Fujimori's farewell gift to the people of Peru. When he lost in 2011 presidential elections, he decided to make a final gift to the Peruvians by building a copy of the statue of Christ the Savior in Rio in Lima.

However, he was criticized because the Peruvians felt that the people should have their own unique statue, and not a copy of someone else’s.

5. Christ of the Sacred Heart (Mexico), 23 meters

10 kilometers from the Mexican city of Rosarito there is a giant statue of Cristo del Sagrado Corazon, made of steel and fiberglass.

Sculptor Gregorio Tijuana claims to be the creator of the most unique statue of Christ, not because of its height, but because it is made in color (usually all other statues are white or gray).

The statue of Christ of the Sacred Heart is a source of pride for Mexicans.

6. Cristo Rey de Los Alamos (Mexico), 23 meters

The resin and fiberglass statue is located in the border city of Tijuana.

Moreover, they built an almost 24-meter statue on the dome of the Church of San Martin de Porres Tijuana.

7. El Cristo Roto (Mexico), 25 meters

An unusual one-legged and one-armed giant statue of Christ was built in the Mexican town of San Jose de Gracia.

El Cristo Roto (The Broken Christ) attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

8. Christ Roy de Houches (France), 25 meters

The monumental statue of Christ the King is located in the town of Les Houches, Haute-Savoie in France.

Abbot Claude Delassia, pastor of Les Houches, who initiated the construction of this monument, wanted to erect a statue that would embody the idea of the universal reign of Christ on Earth. The first stone was laid in August 1933, and the statue was unveiled just a year later.

9. Christ of Mercy (Nicaragua), 26 meters

El Cristo de la Misericordia is a huge statue in the city of San Juan del Sur that is the largest statue of Christ in Central America.

This statue was the dream of a local businessman, Erwin Gonzalez, who made his fortune in tourism. As a result, he built it on his personal plot of land.

10. Christ the King (Colombia), 26 meters

A 464-ton statue of Cristo Rey was erected on top of Los Cristales, one of two mountains overlooking the Colombian city of Cali, in 1953. It was supposed to symbolize respect for peace and the safety of local residents.

Only the most energetic tourists get to the statue, because it is located at an altitude of 1440 m above sea level.

11. Cristo Rey Dili (East Timor), 27 meters

The Christ the King statue was a gift from the Indonesian government to the people of East Timor. At the time of construction (1996), East Timor was a province of Indonesia before gaining independence in 2002. Since then, the Cristo Rey statue has become one of the main tourist attractions of the newly independent state.

Unlike most of the statues on this list, the Cristo Rey is made of copper rather than stone.

12. Christ the King (Portugal), 28 meters

Plans for a Portuguese statue of Christ first appeared in 1940, but the statue was not completed until 1959.

The figure of Christ on the top of a rock near the city stands with his arms outstretched towards the city, as if hugging it.

13. Cristo Recusitado (Mexico), 30 meters

This statue is the only one on the list that was installed in a cemetery (in the city of San Rafael). Sculptor David Gutiérrez Becerril made the Cristo Recusitado (Christ Risen) from pink stone in the early 1970s.