Christ the Redeemer: Five Interesting Facts

Christ the Redeemer is on the bucket list of many travelers, and some might find it daunting to visit with small children…. nope, not us, we didn’t think twice about taking our traveling circus to see this sacred statue.

Christ the Redeemer stands 98 feet tall (this doesn’t include the 26 ft pedestal) high above the mountains overlooking Rio de Janeiro, and the arms stretch to 92 feet wide. Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca National Forest, at the top of the Corcovado Mountain and is considered an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. Christ the Redeemer is the 5th largest statue of Jesus in the world.

1. To reach the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, we took the electric cogwheel trolley which was the most scenic route. We climbed slowly up the Corcovado mountain through the tropical forest of Tijuca National Park. Once we reached the top, we had the option of taking an elevator or 222 steps up to the statue. Given the number of Caipirinha’s Hot Hubby and I had enjoyed, I made the executive decision we’d all climb the steps. The view from the top was indescribable. Magnificent and unbelievable. I didn’t realize the statue was so high that you are in sometimes above the airplanes.

2. The statue has a small chapel at its base. The chapel is used for baptisms and small weddings.

3. The statue’s right arm points to Ipanema Beach and its left arm points to Maracana, the world’s largest soccer stadium.

4. At night the statue is lit up by flood lights and the flood lights make the statue look like it is levitating.

5. It was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. More than 100 million people voted on the New Seven Wonders of the World from a list of 21 finalists. Christ the Redeemer made the cut, along with the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu (Read about our trip to Machu Picchu here), and the Roman Colosseum.