History
A view of the statue, as seen from a plane and Moa's helicopter.
The idea of erecting a large statue atop Corcovado was first suggested in the mid-1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument. Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea and it was dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a republic with laws mandating the separation of church and state. The second proposal for alandmark statue on the mountain was made in 1921 by the Catholic Circle of Rio.The group organized an event called Semana do Monumento ("Monument Week") to attract donations and collect signatures to support the building of the statue. The donations came mostly from Brazilian Catholics. The designs considered for the "Statue of the Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world. The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms, a symbol of peace, was chosen.
A view of the statue at night.
Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue; it was sculpted by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski. A group of engineers and technicians studied Landowski's submissions and the decision was made to build the structure out of reinforced concrete (designed by Albert Caquot) instead of steel, more suitable for the cross-shaped statue. The outer layers are soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities and ease of use. Construction took nine years, from 1922 to 1931 and cost the equivalent ofUS$250,000 ($3,257,463 in 2012). The monument was opened on October 12, 1931. The statue was meant to be lit by a battery of floodlights triggered remotely by shortwave radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, stationed 5,700 miles (9,200 km) away in Rome, but poor weather affected the signal and it had to be lit by workers in Rio.
In October 2006, on the statue's 75th anniversary, Archbishop of Rio Cardinal Eusebio Oscar Scheid consecrated a chapel (named after the patron saint of Brazil—Nossa Senhora Aparecida, or "Our Lady of the Apparition,") under the statue. This allows Catholics to hold baptisms and weddings there.
A close up view of the face.
The statue was struck by lightning during a violent electrical storm on Sunday, February 10, 2008 and suffered some damage on the fingers, head and eyebrows. A restoration effort was put in place by the Rio de Janeiro state government and archdiocese to replace some of the outer soapstone layers and repair the lightning rods installed on the statue.
On April 15, 2010 graffiti was sprayed on the statue's head and right arm. MayorEduardo Paes called the act "a crime against the nation" and vowed to jail the vandals, even offering a reward of R$ 10,000 for any information that might lead to an arrest. The Military Police eventually identified house painter Paulo Souza dos Santos as the suspect of the act of vandalism.
About Hotel
Hotel Atlantico Business
Rua Senador Dantas, 25, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Hotel Atlantico Business Centro has a sauna, a lift and conference room(s). It also features a concierge, a 24 hour reception and a 24 hour business centre. A Wi-Fi connection is also available for use.
The rooms at the Hotel Atlantico Business Centro have a safe, a plasma / LCD TV and a private bathroom. Amenities featured in the rooms include a mini bar, complimentary toiletries and a telephone.
With a relaxing setting, the Hotel Atlantico Business Centro's on-site bar offers a choice of premium drinks and snacks. A hot breakfast is available daily and the lounge bar offers a selection of beverages. A large selection of dining options can also be found nearby.
The Hotel Atlantico Business Centro's location allows guests to easily reach all local tourist attractions on foot. Rio de Janeiro city centre is only a 10 minute drive away.
Lowest price £58
