Christ the Redeemer is perhaps the most recognized example of Catholic religious art. The Statue was voted one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” in 2007 by a web-based survey of 200 current standing monuments. This survey was carried out by a private entity and was not supported by UNESCO. Notably, the Statue is in the top seven, alongside world-renowned architecture such as Petra and the Taj Mahal, and surpassed the Eiffel Tower, which is no small feat. So, where is the Christ the Redeemer statue located?
Christ the Redeemer statue stands on Mount Corcovado in the southeast of Brazil. Mount Corcovado is within the Tijuca Park national park.
Read on to find out in what city the Christ the Redeemer statue is located, how you can get to the Christ the Redeemer statue, and when the best time is to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue.
What city is the Christ the Redeemer statue located in?
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, also known as the Statue of Corcovado and Cristo Redentor in Portuguese, is located in the national forest of Tijuca Park, at the top of Corcovado Mountain, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rio, in short, is Brazil’s central port city, located on the country’s south-eastern coast. The distance from the city’s heart is estimated to be only 8 km, and the road distance from the port is about 38 km. The Statue faces east, in the direction of the rising sun, and overlooks the port city.
The Statue was completed in 1931 and stands 30 meters (98 feet) tall, with the horizontally outstretched arms being 28 meters (92 feet) across. The Statue is said to have been designed by Paul Landowski and built by Heitor da Silva Costa. Romanian Gheorghe Leonida sculpted the face. Christ the Redeemer has become a symbol for Rio and Brazil as a whole over the years.
How do you get to the Christ the Redeemer statue?
It has been reported that there are only three ways to get to the Statue’s base: by the Corcovado train, by the Paineiras-Corcovado Consortium’s authorized vans, or by hiking up to it. You can also choose to go on your own, on a guided tour, or in a taxi or other van, which will only get you to the Visitors’ Center. Only the official vans are allowed to the Statue’s base, so you’ll inevitably have to get into one of the official vans to complete the trip.
If you choose the Corcovado cog train, you must first go to Corcovado Station. This is the most direct route to the Statue via the Corcovado Station and Christ the Redeemer’s base.
If you choose the official vans, you’ll need to get to the Paineiras Visitors Center on Estrada das Paineiras.
Those who choose to hike up will end up at the Statue’s base, where they will need to show or buy tickets to gain access.
Each way offers its own uniquely interesting experience.
To get on the Cog train—bondinho in Portuguese—to Christ the Redeemer, you will need to go to the Corcovado train station on Cosme Velho Street at the base of the Corcovado peak. It is easy to access by public transportation and is said to be relatively safe during working hours. The train is reported to leave every 20 or 30 minutes, from 8:20 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and it is best to buy tickets in advance from Riotur kiosks to avoid the long queues. The last ride down from the summit is at about 6:30 p.m.
This route is interesting because, for one, it is said to be how all the pieces used to build the Statue were hauled uphill almost a century ago. You also get the chance to travel on Brazil’s oldest railroad, the Corcovado Railroad. It’s fascinating to note that the railroad, which is said to have been opened by Emperor D. Pedro II in 1884, still provides access to the top of the Corcovado in the twenty-first century.
The route is scenic and gives you a good view of the Atlantic Forest, which is said to be the largest urban rainforest, as the train ambles its way to the base of the Statue. The base is situated about 710 m above sea level, right at the summit of Corcovado Mountain. The journey to the top takes about 20 minutes.
The official vans Paineiras-Corcovado Consortium vans are the only ones allowed to go to the top from the Visitors Center at Estrada das Paineiras. The van option allows you to get a return ticket and includes the entrance fee. The vans operate from the Visitor Center daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last van from the base leaving at around 6 p.m.
If you decide to hike up, buy your entrance ticket online or carry enough cash, as credit cards are not accepted at the entrance. The trail is free and scenic, and it will take about two hours up and down, so make sure to carry enough drinking water. However, safety is not guaranteed—there have been incidences of mugging in the past.
What is the best time to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue?
September and October are ideal for visiting Christ the Redeemer’s Statue. This is because the temperatures are lower and the humidity is easier to handle.
Weekdays are the best days for visiting the Statue. The best times of the day are early in the morning before 8:30 a.m. or late in the afternoon after 3:30 p.m.
A morning visit is the best time for photos of the Statue, as it faces the sun. It is also calmer and less crowded. However, a morning visit is unsuitable for photographing the surrounding areas, as you will be facing the sun.
Although late afternoon visits are likely to be more crowded, they are better for sightseeing, visibility, and photography of the surrounding areas. This is because the sun is not in your face and is off to the side, giving good lighting over Rio, Sugar Loaf, and the harbor.
References
- Christ the Redeemer
- “Christ the Redeemer” – Analysis of the Giant Statue
- Facts about “Christ the Redeemer”
- How did Rio’s “Christ the Redeemer” get there?
- When to go to “Christ the Redeemer”
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