Mount Corcovado - a visiting card of Brazil

Known throughout the world, the mountain, located within the boundaries of Rio de Janeiro, because of its bizarre shape in the Middle Ages, was named Corcovado, which translates as "hunchback". Her popularity increased after she became a pedestal for the giant sculpture of Jesus, considered one of the seven world wonders of the world.

Mount Corcovado is a local landmark, visible from any point of the city, from which an amazing panorama of the colorful Rio de Janeiro opens.

Symbol of faith of Brazilians

A huge peak 704 meters high is in the largest park in the world - Tizhuka. This is a wonderful place for family holidays for all locals and tourists. And above this mountain magnificence rises the majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Brazil considers it to be its symbol of faith, because the arms outstretched seem to embrace and protect the former capital of the country and its inhabitants.

History of the installation of the statue

The history of the installation of the monument to Jesus Christ is very interesting and deserves a detailed account.

In 1922, at a celebration dedicated to the centenary of Brazil's independence, local authorities decided to erect a giant Columbus monument in Rio de Janeiro. However, residents felt that it would be more symbolic to establish a statue of Jesus.

After the popular vote, a final decision was made to erect a sculpture of Christ the Redeemer. Considered several mountain ranges, but eventually won the mountain Corcovado as the highest urban point. At the same time, the foundation stone laid the first stone of the future grandiose monument.

The winning project

A year later, the project, which everyone liked, won the competition. The local artist portrayed Jesus with open arms, and from afar his figure resembled a huge cross. Initially, it was planned that the base of the sculpture would be a pedestal in the form of a globe, but later this idea was abandoned.

Problems with finances and masters

After the approval of the project, the Brazilians faced the problem of lack of funds for the implementation of the monument. The collection of donations was announced, and soon the money of more than two million reais was aimed at making a Christ-Redeemer statue as soon as possible.

Brazil as an agrarian country was experiencing great difficulties. There were no highly skilled craftsmen who could cast a huge statue, so all the details were ordered in France. Local sculptors and engineers worked on the creation of a skeleton protecting the statue.

A grand opening

In 1924, the first parts were made from gypsum, and on the mountain a seven-meter pedestal was installed. Brazilian builders were greatly helped by the oldest railway that operated by that time, by which all parts of the statue and the necessary materials were transported upstairs.

The work ended in 1931. It was then that the grandiose opening of a unique monument took place - a symbol of faith not only of the city, but of the whole country. Till now inhabitants recollect, how at a light of day on October, 12th the statue in weight more than thousand tons hid under a covering cloth. Mount Corcovado was crowded with worried people, and many prayed right in the streets of their hometown, hoping for an early opening.

A floating figure in the air

The statue appeared before the astonished gaze of the inhabitants in total darkness, when night fell on the city. Thousands of people prayed in a single impulse, and when the floodlights flashed on the mountain, illuminating almost 40-meter sculpture, it all seemed as if Christ was hovering in the air, embracing humanity.

Over the years, every evening, when the mountain in Brazil plunges into darkness, powerful lighting fixtures are sent to it, and the statue of Jesus appears as a grandiose figure, torn from the Earth. To contemplate the amazing action every year, millions of people come to Rio confessing that they saw nothing more magnificent.

In 1973, the statue of Christ was listed in the national symbols of the country.

Steep ascent to the top

Mount Corcovado (South America), which trains in 20 minutes a railway train, designed for a steep climb up, waiting for its visitors daily. And to climb to the top, you need to overcome the ladder in 223 steps or drive a special elevator.

Extreme climbing the mountain

This route is very fond of extreme people coming from all over the globe to Mount Corcovado. Rio de Janeiro is rightly considered the center of rock climbing in Brazil, and the neighborhood of the park Tizhuka - a favorite place not only for hiking tourists.

The conquest of the height of the national landmark is a very interesting climb, requiring good equipment and sufficient physical training.

Climbers cover a distance of 710 meters along specially laid routes.

Center of tourist pilgrimage

Every year, pilgrims from all over the world travel a long way to admire the grandeur and beauty of the symbol of the liberation and revival of the country. Surprisingly, for so many years the statue has not caused any major damage.

Even the terrible storm that was raging in 2008, remembered by the destructive actions in the country, did not damage the gigantic monument. And the lightning that hit the statue of Christ left no trace. Scientists associate this with the properties of the material from which the sculpture is made, and the Catholics give a surprising fact to the sacred meaning.

Mount Corcovado, which is the most photographed landmark of the country, is the visiting card of Rio de Janeiro and the center of tourist pilgrimage. The symbol of faith, kindness and love attracts millions of tourists who come from the farthest corners of our land only to worship Jesus and let God into their hearts.