Christ the Redeemer

This Christ the Redeemer stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world's best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

The view from the statue of Christ above the city of Rio de Janeiro is world famous. The 710 meter mountain of Corcovado is crowned by the statue of Christ the Redeemer , which is 30 meters high and has a 8 meter pedestal with a chapel in honor of the Lady of Aparecida, patron Saint of Brazil.

On Thursday 12 october 2006 the statue celebrates its 75 year birthday. The Catholic Church in Brazil has announced that they will mark the day by opening the small chapel below the Christ the Redeemer for religious ceremonies such as baptisms and weddings.

Tourist Attractions:

Sugarloaf - A green, unearthly peak rising over Rio de Janeiro, Sugar Loaf is an iconic locale for a bird's eye view of Rio de Janeiro, from Copacabana beach to Corcovado Mountain, as well as an equatorial Rio de Janeiro sunset.

Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) - The 340-acre garden, one of Rio's most striking natural attractions, contains more than 5,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palms. The garden makes for a marvelous afternoon stroll - especially on a hot day, when the temperature here is usually a good 10 F cooler than it is on the street.

Maracanã - This stadium is Brazil's temple of soccer. Home of the best football team on earth. It's a giant among coliseums, easily accommodating more than 100,000 at a time. If sports interest you even the littlest bit, or if you just want a new insight into Brazil, then by all means check out a game of futebol here - preferably a championship game or one between local rivals Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense or Botafogo. It can be an intense, quasi-psychedelic experience. The sports museum inside the stadium has photos, posters, cups and uniforms of the greats