Cristo Rei, Lubango, Catholic monument on Serra de Chela mountain, Lubango, Angola
Cristo Rei is a large white marble statue standing on Serra de Chela mountain at approximately 2,130 meters elevation, with arms outstretched toward the city below. The monument reaches about 30 meters in height and commands the mountain landscape with its bright presence.
The monument was designed in 1957 by Portuguese engineer Frazão Sardinha during the period of Portuguese colonial presence in the region. The structure bears witness to later conflicts that marked the territory.
The statue serves as a gathering place for both religious visitors and those seeking a viewpoint over the city. The Mwila people who live in the region maintain their own traditions around the mountain.
Visitors can climb internal staircases through two levels to reach viewing platforms that overlook the entire city and surrounding landscape. The site is accessible from the city, and multiple paths lead to the mountain.
The face of the statue shows visible damage to the nose area from past conflicts, creating a silent reminder of what the region has experienced. These marks reveal that the monument carries more than just religious meaning in the local story.
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