This statue is a symbol of Christianity, and became a symbol of city pride. This statue is an open hand viewed by many as a sign of the warmth of the Brazilian population.
The idea to build a large statue atop Corcovado had emerged since the mid 1850's, when imamKatolik Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument.
Princess Isabel did not respond gagsan, which was then altogether forgotten in 1889, when Brazil became a republic, with laws mandating the separation of church and state.
The second proposal for a large landmark statue on the mountain was made in 1921 by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro. The archdiocese organized an event called Semana do Monumento ("Monument Week") to attract donations, which came mostly from Brazilian Catholics.
The designs considered for the "Statue of Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hand, and a pedestal symbolizing the world. Eventually the statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms selected.
Christ Redeemer was designed by Heitor da Silva Costa and in sculpture by Frenchman Paul Landowski. Project done for 9 years from 1922 until October 12, 1931, at a cost of U.S. $ 250,000.
The statue is made from a mixture of concrete and stone. When the construction of railway built to carry large pieces of sculpture to the top of the mountain. The statue was inaugurated on October 12, 1931.
To view the statue up close have to climb 220 stairs. But on January 20, 2003 have been built elevator and sekalator. So do not bother anymore.
