Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

Although plans for a Christian monument atop the prominent Mount Corcovado – which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil – were first discussed in the middle of the nineteenth century, the overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of the separation between church and state in 1889 delayed such plans. Nevertheless, the idea of placing a Christian monument atop the prominent peak was revived by private Catholics and the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro decades later in response to a perceived rise in secularism and a decrease in religious practice. After a variety of plans were submitted for the monument (including a cross and Christ in various poses), Christ standing with his arms outstretched and facing the rising sun was selected. Atop the 2,300-foot-tall peak of Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer would be visible throughout the city.

Construction of the massive monument was begun in 1922 with funds raised entirely from private donations. The statue stands 98 feet tall (not including its 26-foot-tall pedestal) with outstretched arms measuring 92 feet across. The statue is constructed primarily of reinforced steel with a soapstone exterior. Due to its massive size, the monument was constructed on-site, and workers and materials were brought to the top of the mountain by a railroad built in an attempt to attract tourists decades earlier. After numerous revisions, construction was completed in 1931. Restoration of both the interior and exterior of the statue was begun in 2010, inspired partially by damage caused by a lightning strike.

In 2006, a chapel was consecrated within the statue’s hollow pedestal with the name Our Lady of the Apparition. Although the chapel is often closed throughout the day, it can be scheduled for small weddings and baptisms, and daily Mass is offered each morning. As the site has increasingly become a symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, the chapel serves as a reminder of the site’s primary importance as a religious monument.

Christ the Redeemer is a visible manifestation of a Christian response to increasing secularity. The people of Rio de Janeiro – which was the nation’s capital at the time the monument was constructed – sought to make visible the invisible reality of Christ’s kingship and presence over their city and nation. In response to a city and nation growing away from God, the people of Rio de Janeiro actively and visibly entrusted their city to Christ’s merciful care.