The beautiful Brazilian city is the dream of the legendary adventurer Ostap Bender, which until 1960 was the capital of Brazil, was founded by the Portuguese in 1502. Located in a cozy hollow, it is surrounded on one side by a ridge of mountains towering over the bay, and on the other by a golden strip of sandy beaches. The Portuguese knew where to successfully choose a place for the future fairytale capital. It is considered the most beautiful city not only in Brazil, but throughout South America, justifying its unique geographical location with dignity. Cheerful Brazilians adore their city, believing that God himself created this heavenly place.
A brief history of the creation of the monument
As a sign of love for the son of the Lord in 1922, in the year of the centenary of Brazil's independence, it was decided to erect a statue of the Savior, which is destined to become the main attraction of the state, the national symbol of the Brazilian people. The winner of the announced competition was the project of Silva Costa, supported by the church and society. For 9 years, work was underway on the implementation of the fateful project. The highest peak of Mount Corcovado was chosen for the installation, so that Christ, if possible, could be seen from all points of the city.
The super-strong frame was made by Brazilian engineers, and the actual parts of the statue itself were made by the French sculptor Paul Landowski in Paris, from where they were delivered to Brazil. The electrified railway leading to the summit, which was built at the end of the 19th century by two innovative engineers Passos and Soares, came in very handy here. Huge details of the future sculptural masterpiece were lifted along it. After the installation of the sculpture, 220 steps of a staircase were laid out from the end of the rail track to the foot of the statue, the twists of which led to the foot of the monument, and a tiny chapel was made in the marble base.
On October 2, 1931, the world's second largest monumental monument to Christ the Redeemer was unveiled and consecrated by Pope Paul VI in a solemn atmosphere, in the presence of important government officials, political and public figures, with a huge number of Brazilians.
The appearance and parameters of the monument
The sculpture is a majestic figure of the Savior, dressed in a white robe, with a slightly bowed head and arms wide open, as if for an embrace, overshadowing the city. It rises as a symbol of Brazilian protection, Christian spirituality and moral purity.
Although the statue seems quite small from a distance, its dimensions are impressive: together with the eight-meter pedestal, the total height is 38 meters; head - 3.75 m, arm span - 27 m, weight of the entire monument with a base - 1145 tons; the head weighs over 35 tons; hands - 18. Made of reinforced concrete with an admixture of soapstone, the statue should stand for centuries as long as the rock on which it was erected will stand. Its appearance is regularly monitored, cleaned, washed. The divine monument has been overhauled twice already. Night illumination has been installed, illuminating the statue with multi-colored highlights.
Thousands of people daily climb to the shrine, overcoming the rise in mini-carriages by rail, then walk up the stairs or ride the escalator. The pedestal is always surrounded by tourists during the day, whose figures seem tiny next to the gigantic figure of Christ. His face is thoughtfully calm, the wisdom of a philanthropist frozen in his eyes, looking with love at his children, crowd below. Everything here is provided for a safe pilgrimage: the observation deck is surrounded on all sides by a reliable fence, a system of bright lighting has been created.
Statue on the background of the city panorama
In different weather, at different times of the day, the magnificent sculptural creation looks new. When the clouds descend low, literally enveloping the top, hiding it completely, then it seems that Christ soars among the clouds - a unique sight! Against the background of the sunset sky above the dark massif of the surrounding mountains, the seemingly small figure of Christ resembles a saving cross in outlines.
In the darkness of the night, a white statue, illuminated from below by spotlights, looks like a silver statuette, standing on the black velvet of the summit. In the predawn haze, it seems that Jesus changed his white mantle to a greenish-gray one, and when the sun's rays flood the monument with bright light, the sculpture acquires a snow-white radiance and looks like a white bird against the background of the dark green forest. An unforgettable picture is when a school of cranes flies over the statue, which, with flaps of their wings, pay homage to the Savior and Protector of humanity.
The unique sculptural statue many times became the object of the image in Hollywood films and TV series, fantastic action films and westerns, documentaries were shot about it, philatelic and postage stamps were issued. The statue of Christ is included in the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and this is quite true.
Recommended for viewing The Enchanted Well in Brazil.
