Cristo de Yungay, Memorial statue in Yungay, Peru
The Cristo de Yungay is a large concrete statue positioned high on a cemetery hill with its arms extended toward Mount Huascaran. The figure stands on a circular platform that provides clear views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
The statue was built between 1965 and 1966 on a cemetery designed by Swiss architect Arnoldo Ruska. The site became directly connected to the 1970 disaster that transformed the town and its surroundings.
This memorial represents the community's remembrance of the 1970 disaster and serves as a space where people gather to reflect on that tragic event. Locals and visitors come here to pay respects and understand what the town endured.
Marked paths lead up the cemetery hill to reach the memorial, and the site is open during daylight hours year-round. Walking uphill requires steady footing, so comfortable shoes with good grip are recommended for the ascent.
The concrete structure is remarkably heavy and was built with considerable engineering effort in this mountainous region. The technical achievement of placing this monumental figure on the hill remains impressive when considering the conditions and methods of the time.
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