Statue of Christ the Redeemer with Unique Fact

City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is known for its beautiful scenery. The blue of the Atlantic Ocean combined with the green trees of the National Park Tijua, as flanking the perfect city with a population of over 6 million. In addition to beautiful scenery, Rio is also known to the world the presence of an iconic site 'Statue of Christ the Redeemer' (Cristo Redentor). The statue that stands atop the Corcovado rocks that turned out to save the story related the history of Christianity in Rio de Janeiro.

The idea to set up a 'Statue of Christ the Redeemer' appeared in the 1850s. When the local priest in Rio de Janeiro sparked the idea to put a monument of Christianity on the Corcovado Hill, elevation 700 meters above sea level. He also requested the help of Princess Isabel of Brazil for financial support, but her daughter did not show interest in the project.

The fall of the monarchy in 1889 joined Brazil separate the role of the church with a new country is a republic. With a secular government, the realization to set up a statue that was farther away from expectations.

At that time a group of Brazilian society together Catholic Diocese of Rio de Janeiro worrying erosion of Christian values in the middle of the republic. Together with the citizens, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro filed a petition to the President of Brazil at the time, Epitacio Pessoa, so that the development projects statue of Christ on Corcovado hill immediately realized.

An architect by Brazilian Heitor DA Silva Costa, won the sculpture design competition. Laying the foundation stone of the first was conducted in 1921. When the development process, Heitor assisted by sculptors such as Carlos Oswald, Paul Lewandowski, and a French engineer who is an expert in the field of reinforced concrete Caquot named Albert, who knew when around Europe.

Finally the 38 meter tall statue that stands above the 8-meter pedestal was completed and opened on October 12, 1931. He stood upright facing east with the second position an open hand, as if to bless the city of Rio de Janeiro. With the building soon became an icon of the Christian world, and a magnet for foreign tourists.

For decades standing, the statue has been repeatedly renovated and experienced cleaning. In 1980 all parts are cleaned to welcome the statue of Pope John Paul II. Related to the history of Christianity did not stop until they're alone. Diusia 75th opening of the statue that fell in 2006, also marked by the ordination of a chapel for 'Our Lady Aprecida', the patron saint of Brazil according to the teachings of the faith of Catholics.

15 Unique Facts

In the 2014 World Cup event, you probably saw the figure of a giant statue around the Maracana stadium complex. The statue is the Christ the Redeemer or Christ the Redeemer. This colossal statue is now considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, along with the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, Petra in Jordan, Pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India. The following facts unique and interesting about the statue of Christ the Redeemer or Christ the Redeemer is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1. The statue that became the pride of the population of Brazil is the brainchild of a Vincentian priest, Pedro Maria Boss, who wanted to create a monument atop Mount Corcovado in honor of Princess Isabel of Brazil in the 1850s. The plan was never to be real, because Brazil soon became a republic. Only later in 1921 the idea was revived by the Catholic Circle of Rio, and with the help of the public contribution, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was inaugurated on October 12, 1931.

2. The huge statue that height reached 30 meters, not including the base as high as 8 meters, with an arm span as wide as 28 meters. This statue remains one of the largest Art Deco structures in the world. The weight of the structure is estimated at about 635 tons.

3. The monument is made of reinforced concrete on the top coated with thousands of soapstone mosaic triangular. This statue stands on a square stone pedestal height of about 8 meters. The whole building is on the top of Mount Corcovado, part of the Tijuca National Park. Corcovado mountain itself stands about 710 meters above sea level, which gives the impression that Christ the Redeemer was looking over Rio.

4. In 1882, Emperor Dom Pedro II inaugurated the railway line along the 3,800 meters to the top of the mountain, which is still in operation, and is the most popular way to reach the top.

5. In 1921, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro suggested that the statue of Christ built atop Mount Corcovado. Because of the location and height, gigantic monuments built here will be visible from any angle in Rio. Brazilian Catholics approve the idea and raise funds to finance the entire project.

6. The foundation stone base of the statue was ceremonially laid on 4 April 1922 - the centennial celebration of the independence of Brazil from Portugal.

7. A competition was announced to find a good design. Brazilian engineer, Heitor DA Silva Costa, being based on a sketch of the figure of Christ holding the cross in his right hand and the world in his left hand. This design was modified by the Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald, who suggested poses, standing with arms stretched wide in which Christ himself becomes a cross, arms outstretched signifies redemption of mankind at the time of the crucifixion. French sculptor, Paul Landowski, note its name because it makes the head and hands of the figure. Da Silva Costa imagine the statue facing the sunrise.

8. Construction began in 1926, and it took five years to complete. Stone used in its construction came from Sweden. The materials are taken to the top of the mountain by train. The total cost in 1931 was about 250,000 dollars. Today, the number is equivalent to 3.2 million US dollars.
9. On October 12, 1931, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is finally introduced to the residents of Rio and around the world.

10. Christ statue has undergone several restoration efforts to preserve its splendor and protect it from the weather.

11. The statue was struck by lightning on February 10, 2008, in what was referred to as one of the enduring storms Rio. This resulted in damage to the fingers, head and eyebrows sculpture. Restoration efforts made to replace the outer soapstone layers and also installed a lightning rod in the statue. However, this statue was struck by lightning once again on January 17, 2014. This time, the fingers of his right hand dislodged.

12. In 2010 a massive restoration done. This statue was cleaned, a layer of mortar and replaced soapstone, steel internal structure restored, and the whole monument is made waterproof.
13. The act of vandalism occurs when a group of people spraying paint layer along the arm of the statue. The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes called it a "crime against the nation". The perpetrators immediately arrested and required to apologize.

14. In 2003, escalators, walkways and elevators are installed, provide convenience for the elderly and the poor to access this monument.

15. In certain events, the statue will be exposed to a wide variety of colorful light, like the color purple on Mother's Day, pink at the moment breast cancer charities, or blue on the autism awareness day. Also at the last World Cup, this statue is highlighted color flag winning team, which at that time was achieved by Germany.