Corcovado

Corcovado is Rio de Janeiro's emblematic mountain, crowned by the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Reaching an altitude of 710 meters, Corcovado offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, its beaches, bays and surrounding mountains. Access to the top is usually by rack-and-pinion train, allowing visitors to admire the scenery on the way up.

At the top, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, 30 meters high, with open arms, dominates the city. This religious and architectural monument is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in the world. The site is much loved by tourists who come to admire the sunset over the city. Corcovado is undoubtedly one of the main points of interest not to be missed during a visit to Rio de Janeiro.

• Built between 1922 and 1931, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was designed by the Brazilian artist Paul Landowski. It weighs more than 1,000 tons and is 30 meters high.
• The location of Corcovado was chosen because of its dominant position over the city. However, the construction of the statue required the transport of thousands of tons of materials to the top of the mountain, a real logistical challenge at the time.
• During the Second World War, the statue was erased so that it would be invisible to enemy ships at sea. Only in 1945, after the end of the war, was the light restored.
• In 2006, the statue underwent a major renovation to protect it from the effects of time and the environment. The 6 million dollars invested made it possible, among other things, to replace the soapstone cladding with stucco.
• Every year, on December 31, the statue is lit up in different colors to celebrate the New Year in Rio. This has become a very popular tradition among locals and tourists alike.
• In 2013, Christ the Redeemer was voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the Modern World, enshrining its status as a global icon.