Located atop the Corcovado Mountain at a height of 710 meters, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is certainly one of the world's best-known and most-visited monuments. This outing begins in the Cosme Velho District, aboard a miniature train that runs through the steep Atlantic Rainforest up to the foot of the statue, offering stunning glimpses of Rio from many different angles.

From the top, the view is nothing short of heavenly: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botanical Gardens, the Jockey Club, and the Lagoon. The entire city spreads out in a magnificent panorama during the day, glittering and magic after dark and always protected by Christ the Redeemer, who blesses visitors and residents from on high.

The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, standing 30 metres (98ft) tall and overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue represents Jesus standing with outstretched, welcoming arms and is one of the most famous symbols of this lively city.

Developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and originally conceived in 1921, the project took almost five years to complete. The statue sits on top of Corcovado Mountain (Hunchback Mountain) and is located in Tijuca National Park, a lush spot for picnics and walking.

Visitors can access the base of the statue, which, at 709m (2326ft) high, affords superb views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, downtown Rio de Janeiro and Rio’s beaches. Visitors can take a train to the top of the mountain to see the statue up-close and to make the most of the stunning views.

The statue of Christ was first conceived in 1921, when the “Monument Week” - a campaign created to gather funds from the Catholic Community - was held. Nevertheless, donations only happened ten years later, due to Arcebishop Dom Sebasti?o Leme’s coordination of the campaign.

The first sketches of the statue were designed by the artist Carlos Oswaldo, who pictured Christ carrying a cross, holding a globe in his hands, while standing over a pedestal symbolizing the world. Although, Rio’s population preferred the statue as it is known worldwide today, with its arms open, embracing all the people. The project was developed by engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and it took almost five years to be completed.

After many studies on which materials should be employed in the construction, the “soap stone” was chosen because of its resistance to time, weather changes, cracking and deformation, even though it is so soft that even a finger nail may scratch it.

Building the monument was not easy. Since the execution of this task in Brazil was not possible at the time, the drafts had to be sent to France, to the hands of the Polish sculptor Paul Landowski. Back to the Country, the parts were carried up using the Corcovado Railroad, and joined together up the hill. The statue of Christ the Redeemer pays homage to Rio’s religiosity, and has become a symbol of the City and of its people, receiving all visitors with its arms open.

Major restoration work was done in the winter of 2000 on the 38 meters tall statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks Rio de Janeiro. The statue has been deteriorating over the years because of climatic effects. The project is the initiative of the Municipality and the Archdiocese of Rio. The project was funded by the Brazilian Environmental Institute, the newspaper “O Globo,” and Banco Real.

This statue, often called the greatest architectural monument of its time, was restored through a project that includes protection against corrosion, cleaning of the statue, new lighting and a mechanical access system. Since its completion in 1931, the monument has been exposed to strong winds, extreme humidity, and abrupt temperature changes causing severe structural wear.

An impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system was installed to control further corrosion of the steel reinforced concrete that forms the statue. This ICCP system forces a small direct current from the titanium anode mesh, with a design life of more than 75 years and embedded in the mortar, to the reinforcing steel in the mantel. This is not the first time the statue has undergone restoration. However, the most advanced techniques have been used in this project.