Curiosities about Christ the Redeemer

Construction of Rio de Janeiro's greatest symbol began in 1926 and lasted around five years. Christ the Redeemer has a total height of 38 meters, 30 meters for the monument and 8 meters for the pedestal, which is equivalent to a 13-storey building. Each arm has an area of 88 m², the head weighs 30 tons, and the foot measures 1.35 meters. Made of reinforced concrete and covered in soapstone, the monument relied on the public's involvement both in fundraising and in assembling the mosaics.

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The heart of Christ

Christ the Redeemer has a discreet stylized heart, representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At 1.30 meters high, it is the only part covered in soapstone that protrudes into the interior of the building.

Illustrious visitors

The monument has welcomed a number of personalities, including Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, Princess Diana, Prince Charles and former US President Barack Obama, accompanied by his family.

Resistance and location

As it stands on top of Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer was designed to withstand winds of up to 250 km/h, four times the average recorded at the time of its construction. It could even withstand winds from category 5 hurricanes, such as Katrina, which hit the USA in 2005.

Due to its location, the monument is frequently struck by lightning - an average of six per year, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). One of these episodes even damaged the thumb of its right hand.

Maintenance and preservation

Fully exposed to the weather and pollution, Christ the Redeemer undergoes regular maintenance, including cleaning, repairing damage caused by bad weather and applying protective layers to preserve the reinforced concrete and soapstone cladding.

Construction and curiosities

The 50 parts of the face and 8 of the hands were molded in Paris and sent to Brazil as a large jigsaw puzzle, with numbered pieces to facilitate assembly. This assembly process mobilized the population of the time, who actively participated in the creation of the monument.