Next to the Inca remains of Machu Picchu, the figure of Christ the Redeemer is considered to be the most popular Brazilian national symbol. Hovering on the top of the Corcovado Mountain, the sculpture oversees the dazzling town of Rio de Janeiro. This statue is regarded as one of the 8 wonders of the world. Thousands of tourists visit this statue every day. It is the biggest Art Deco sculpture in the whole world, a height of almost 39 meters and weighing more or less 700 tons.
Construction of the statue of Christ the Redeemer started in the year 1926. Paul Landowski, a renowned French sculptor, was responsible of constructing the statue while Heitor da Silva Costa was asked to supervise the entire project. A great deal of making of the statue was performed in France. Later the segments in bits and pieces were shipped to Brazil and were carried to the top of Corcovado Mountain for the final compilation process. The formerly constructed Corcovado railway performed a crucial role in the entire building project.
Christ the Redeemer was created using non-breakable concrete, while the outer surface was dressed in soapstone. Soapstone was selected because of its toughness and its ability to challenge the extreme effects of natural calamities. Currently a lightning strike fails to harm the statue mostly because of its protective coating.
It took nearly five years and almost $250,000 to complete the sculpture of Christ the Redeemer. The inauguration of the statue happened on 12th October of 1931, in the presence of the Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas.
Today, this symbolic statue draws more than 300,000 tourists each year. Distinguished dignitaries who have already viewed the magnificent sculpture resting on the top of Corcovado Mountain include Pope John Paul II, Pope Pius XII, Albert Einstein, Brazilian national hero and aviator Alberto Santos Dumont and Lady Diana, Princess of Wales and many others.