Christ the Redeemer, Art Deco statue on Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The reinforced concrete and soapstone sculpture rises 30 meters (98 feet) at an elevation of 2,330 feet. Its outstretched arms extend 92 feet (28 meters) across, forming a cross shape visible from various parts of the city below.
French sculptor Paul Landowski and Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the monument, which opened on October 12, 1931. Construction lasted nine years and required transporting materials up the mountain. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 2012 alongside Corcovado Mountain.
The sculpture serves as a Catholic pilgrimage destination and national emblem of Brazil. Millions of people from various religious and cultural contexts journey here annually to view the monument from the summit.
Visitors reach the summit via the Corcovado Train from Cosme Velho neighborhood or through minivans ascending Tijuca National Park. Early morning or late afternoon offers fewer crowds and better light for photographs. Tickets should be purchased online in advance, especially during high season from December through March.
Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida crafted the face of the figure. The entire construction weighs 1,145 tons (1,040 metric tons) and ranks as the fifth largest Jesus sculpture worldwide. Lightning strikes the structure an average of three to five times annually, requiring periodic restoration of the stone surface.
Location: Alto da Boa Vista
Inception: 1920
Architects: Albert Caquot, Paul Landowski, Gheorghe Leonida
Creator: Paul Landowski, Carlos Oswald
Official opening: October 12, 1931
Elevation above the sea: 709 m
Height: 8 m
Made from material: reinforced concrete, soapstone
Address: Parque Nacional da Tijuca - Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro - RJ 22261
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:00-19:00
Website: http://corcovado.com.br
GPS coordinates: -22.95192,-43.21046
Latest update: November 27, 2025 19:02
Brazilian architectural heritage reflects centuries of history, from colonial fortifications to contemporary structures. In São Paulo, the Flag Monument pays tribute to colonial expeditions, while in Belém, the Peace Theater recalls the prosperity of the rubber era. In Curitiba, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum showcases modern Brazilian architecture, and in Rio de Janeiro, the National Library holds over 9 million works in a neoclassical building. This collection brings together diverse sites that tell the story of the country’s development: military fortresses like São José de Macapá from the 18th century, cultural institutions like the Museum of Tomorrow focused on environmental issues, and managed natural spaces such as the Curitiba Botanical Garden. These sites offer an exploration of Brazil's history, architecture, and culture.
A collection of religious monuments from different cultures, including the Christ statue in Rio and Buddha statues in China. These structures, often exceeding 30 meters in height, represent various spiritual traditions through stone and metal constructions. The monuments include Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and other religious figures.
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city; it is a living backdrop. Between mountains and sea, the Brazilian metropolis showcases its most famous landscapes: Christ the Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf shining in the sun, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches where music and sand never sleep. But Rio is not just postcards. In the streets of Santa Teresa, colorful azulejos climb the Selarón stairs, museums reinvent the modern city, parks hide tropical forests, and lookouts reveal stunning panoramas. From samba to nature, from colonial heritage to futuristic architecture, each neighborhood tells a different face of Rio. Here are the must-visit places to experience its energy, beauty, and the unique joie de vivre.
In 2007, the New Seven Wonders Foundation, led by Swiss businessman Bernard Weber in cooperation with the marketing company Deureka, organized a global vote, the results of which were announced on July 7 in Lisbon. This project, which was especially successful in India and China, enabled the designation of seven monuments representing different civilizations and eras, from antiquity to the 20th century. UNESCO stated in a release that it was not involved in this event, contrary to what many voters believed. The final selection includes sites across all continents: the Great Wall of China, a fortification system built over several centuries; Petra in Jordan, a Nabataean city from the 4th century BC carved into rose-colored rock; the Colosseum in Rome, a 1st-century amphitheater capable of holding 50,000 spectators; Chichen Itza in Mexico, a Maya site demonstrating the astronomical knowledge of this civilization; Machu Picchu in Peru, an Inca city from the 15th century located at 2,430 meters above sea level; the Taj Mahal in India, a white marble mausoleum built between 1631 and 1643; and the Christ Rédempteur statue in Rio de Janeiro, a 38-meter-tall monument inaugurated in 1931. The Khufu pyramid, the only remaining ancient wonder still standing, was removed from the voting list and designated an honorary wonder. The 21 candidate sites were selected by a commission of architects from five continents, chaired by Federico Mayor, former UNESCO Director-General. The criteria included aesthetics, architectural achievement, and historical significance. Each monument had to be constructed by humans, completed before 2000, and in acceptable preservation condition. This collection lists all monuments and allows users to view their locations and photos via individual records.
Parque Lage
979 m
Corcovado
13 m
Solar dos Abacaxis
1.6 km
Instituto casa Roberto Marinho
1.5 km
Chapel of Our Lady of Cabeça
1.5 km
Obra do Berço
1.5 km
Environmental Protection Area of Santa Teresa
858 m
Palácio de São Clemente
1.5 km
Geyer collection
1.3 km
Imóvel à Rua Capistrano de Abreu, nº 45
1.5 km
Parque Henrique Lage
766 m
Statue of Quintino Bocaiúva
1.3 km
Fernando Baptista Gonçalves
1.3 km
Reservatório da Carioca
753 m
Clarisse Índio do Brasil
1.4 km
Imóvel da rua Voluntários da Pátria, n.º 457
1.5 km
À Tom Jobim, O Estudante
990 m
Edifício do Jardim de Infância Marechal Hermes
1.6 km
Balões ou Ritual do Vento
1.3 km
J.Carlos
1.2 km
Fonte Harmonia
1.4 km
Igreja Matriz Santa Margarida Maria
1.4 km
Irmãos André e Antônio Rebouças
1.4 km
Manuel Madruga
1.2 km
Sagrado Coração de Jesus
1.3 km
À Maria do Carmo Nabuco
1.1 km
Curumim
1.3 km
Guarda-corpo da Rua Lineu de Paula Machado
1.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes