The official name of the famous and huge statue in Rio de Janeiro is ‘Christ the Redeemer Statue‘ (Cristo Redentor in Brazilian Portuguese). The statue and its full name are known in the far corners of Brazil, since the Christ the Redeemer is the most famous icon in the country. What other landmark can you think of when you hear the word “Brazil”?
The idea of erecting a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio was from a French priest named Pierre-Marie Bos, who lived in Rio de Janeiro most of his live. In fact, he died several years before the Brazilian government authorized the construction of the statue.
When the statue was being erected in the 1920s there were already several people who were against it. Some were against because they were afraid that the arms could fall over people down in the city, others were against for religions motives (the construction was organized by the Catholic Church), others were against because they claimed the statue would be in disharmony with the lush vegetation around. You name it. There were several Cariocas (the name given for natives of Rio) with different reasons against the statue erection. On the other hand, most locals were for the construction.
Nowadays, all these criticisms are deeply buried in the past since the vast majority of Brazilians are proud of Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain.
Planning a trip to Brazil? Or want to learn facts, history and how to visit information on the most famous statue in Brazil? Then, get your copy of Christ the Redeemer Statue – A Comprehensive Guidebook to Visiting the Rio de Janeiro Landmark atop Corcovado Mountain.
Read topics related to Christ the Redeemer statue:
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