Christ the Redeemer, Christianity’s Iconic Symbol in Brazil

Christ the Redeemer is a monumental art deco not only towering by its height, it is practically the largest symbol of Christian faith you can never find elsewhere. Not even in either Vatican or Rome.

Nothing says a big symbol quite as huge as Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer atop the Cariocas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As its name implies, this human-figure statue with its arms wide open is essentially the depiction of Christ himself as embodying the cross. Two major symbols of the Christian faith rolled into one.

How big is this tall man-made structure, you ask? Only 30 meters or 98 feet in height, not including the pedestal to which the gigantic statue is raised. For something as marvelous as this, you can easily deduce that this architecture is massive as well—a heavy 635 metric tons!

However, apart from its locale, there is a side about this sky-high effigy that is not 100% Brazilian—the idol itself was built by a few artists, only one of which is Brazilian by birth. The design of the figure was originally conceived by a French sculptor but was built by a Brazilian engineer. Meanwhile, the face of the statue was sculpted by a Romanian sculptor.

The erection of the graven image was completed between the years 1922 to 1931.

For something as a remarkable feat as Christ the Redeemer, it was not too long ago, however, that it was given the honor of having been included in the list of New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Adventure

The trip to Christ the Redeemer begins at the base of the mountain where the 20-minute exhilarating cogwheel train ride originates. The trail follows along its track of a steep ascend passing through lush vegetation of tropical trees and wildflowers. For the more adventurous visitors who prefer to reach Christ the Redeemer on foot, a narrow trail leading to the statue runs alongside the railway, so it is typical to see a group of backpackers and hikers on their vigorous way in reaching the summit.

As the train reaches the final station at the summit, an elevator ride up to one more level where the magnificent and massive statue of Christ The Redeemer overlooks the city below. A breath of fresh Brazilian air and a panoramic 360 degrees view of Rio de Janeiro, its beautiful beaches, the rolling hills, and everything around to as far as the horizon our eyes could see truly is a postcard-perfect panorama.

More Than Just Its Height

While many tourists see Christ the Redeemer as an attraction to be in when in the city, Brazilians close and afar view this magnificent structure as a symbol of their nation and of peace.

Although seeing Christ the Redeemer up close is already breath-taking enough from the ground, the real awe-inspiring moment of the visit is by being at the exact same level as the sculpture’s head itself. It is at this height that you would see the seamless aggregation of the city’s diverse and oftentimes contrasting qualities—the expensive-looking apartments, the favelas, the literally unhoused, a number of football stadiums, and the Guanabara Bay as dotted with its scatted islands.

Unless you are riding on a high-flying vehicle at an elevation higher than Christ the Redeemer itself, this is something which mostly only birds see at their flight or when perched hundreds of feet high above seawater—a very thrilling and spectacular experience for us humans.

You can almost literally sum up the existing status quo in Rio by being at shoulder height with the mammoth figure itself.

In case you are wondering, having to climb the tall figure is actually possible and something which many tourists had done before. Christ the Redeemer, after all, is not considered a sacred relic but only of religious significance among Christians.