The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is one of the 7
wonders of the world. To see Rio from above is certainly a miracle. But
if there is no such a thick fog, you could miss another miracle that
will be remembered for all your life.
Imagine that you're looking at huge Jesus and suddenly just before your
eyes he disappears completely. All you see is a white haze. After 10-15
seconds, his silhouette appears again. A hazy cloud moves
imperceptibly, then closing, then opening the statue to your view. This
action has a very strong psychological effect that impresses even
atheists. Words to convey feelings are difficult to find, because it is
like a miracle of insight.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a famous statue of Christ with
outstretched arms, it is located on the top of the Corcovado Mountain in
Rio de Janeiro. It is a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil as a whole.
The statue was made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. The exact
dimensions of the statue of Christ the Redeemer are: height - 38 meters,
including the pedestal - 8 m, weight - 1145 tons, lenght of the arms -
30 meters.
The construction of the statue lasted for about nine years - from 1922
to 1931. The initial draft of the monument was designed by artist Carlos
Oswald. It was he who suggested to depict Christ with outstretched arms
with a blessing gesture, making a figure look like a huge cross from
the distance. In the original version the statue pedestal was supposed
to be in the form of a globe. But the final draft of the monument was
designed by a Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa.The initial draft
of the monument was designed by artist Carlos Oswald. It was he who
suggested to depict Christ with outstretched arms with a blessing
gesture, making a figure look like a huge cross from the distance. In
the original version the statue pedestal was supposed to be in the form
of a globe. But the final draft of the monument was designed by
Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa.
Due to a number of reasons, including technological ones, a creation of
this huge sculpture was not available then in Brazil, that is why all
its parts, including its frame, were manufactured in France, then
brought to Brazil by railway. An electrified railway line (the first one
in Brazil) with a little train leads to the top. It had been built long
before the statue of Christ - in 1882-1884. And later it played a major
role in the construction of the monument: this road helped to deliver
building materials to the top. Tourists can also get to the statue by a
car passing through the highway.
Over the last 75 years, the statue was repaired twice - in 1980 and
1990. In 1932 and 2000 a modernization of its night illumination was
held. In 2003 a rise that leads to the observation deck was equipped
with escalators. And in 2007 the statue was chosen as one of the new
seven wonders of the world.
A winding staircase of 220 steps was set up from the final destination
of the railway track to the statue foot. It received the nickname
"Caracol" ("Snail"). On the 12th of October, 1931 the grand opening and
consecration of the monument that became a symbol of Rio de Janeiro were
held. In 1965 the statue was re-consecrated by Pope Paul VI, and in
1981 Pope John Paul II was here at the celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the monument.
The area in front of the statue.
A souvenir shop.
via DK1974
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