Cristo de la Concordia, Colossal statue of Jesus Christ on San Pedro Hill, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Cristo de la Concordia is a colossal Jesus statue made of steel and concrete that rises from San Pedro Hill overlooking Cochabamba. The monument towers over the valley with outstretched arms that are visible from across the city.
Construction began on 12 July 1987 and ended on 20 November 1994, promoted by the factory workers' leader Lucio López and built to mark Pope John Paul II's 1988 visit to Cochabamba. The Cochabamba brothers César and Wálter Terrazas Pardo sculpted the figure, with Mario Moscoso Villanueva directing the works. In 2019 the monument was pressure-washed, its cracks sealed and its exterior coated with acrylic paint.
The name Concordia refers to the peace the statue is meant to convey, and its outstretched arms are read as protection over Cochabamba and as a welcome to visitors. The figure was planned at 33 metres, one for each year of Jesus's life; the extra 44 centimetres of hair is said by locals to account for Christ living a little past 33.
You can reach the site either by climbing steps from the city center or by taking a cable car for a more comfortable route. Wear sturdy shoes and allow time to adjust to the altitude, since Cochabamba sits in the Andes mountains.
The statue was planned at 33 metres, one for each year of Jesus's life, but 44 centimetres were added for the hair, so it overtops the Rio Christ it was modelled on. Locals say the extra accounts for Christ living a little past 33.
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