Cristo Redentor

The Workforce Who Built Cristo Redentor Signed Their Names on the Underside of the Soapstone Tiles

The statue is reinforced concrete covered in individually cut and fitted triangular soapstone tiles. Many of the tiles were signed on the underside by the workers who installed them during construction from 1922 to 1931. The sculptor was Paul Landowski, a French-Polish artist who modelled the hands and face in his Paris studio. The engineering was handled by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. The arms span 28 metres. The statue stands 30 metres tall, 38 metres including the pedestal, on the summit of Corcovado mountain at 710 metres above Rio de Janeiro.

Cloud rolls in on Corcovado by mid-morning most days. Book the cog railway (tremdocorcovado.com.br) for an early departure – the view from the base of the statue takes in the full Rio geography when the sky is clear: Guanabara Bay to the east, the Lagoa and Ipanema/Copacabana beaches to the south, and Sugarloaf to the northeast.

Getting There

The Corcovado Rack Railway (Trem do Corcovado) runs from Cosme Velho, taking about 20 minutes through Tijuca forest (the largest urban forest in the world) to a station a 220-step escalator and elevator system below the statue platform. Tickets run approximately R$117 for adults; book in advance online, especially on weekends and school holidays. The statue can also be visited at night when it is lit, with the last train around 21:00 in peak season. The alternative hike through Tijuca National Park from Parque Lage takes four to five hours return.

Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) at the entrance to Guanabara Bay ascends by cable car in two stages to 396 metres. The view from the summit looking back at Corcovado with Cristo visible is one of the best panoramic city views available anywhere. Go 90 minutes before sunset when the light is warm and directional. Tickets around R$130.

Santa Teresa and Selarón

The hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa between Corcovado and the city centre has colonial buildings, art studios, and restaurants. The Escadaria Selarón, a mosaic staircase created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón from 1990 until his death in 2013 with tiles from more than 60 countries, is at the border with Lapa below.

Rio Practicalities

October through March is summer with Carnival in February or March. April through September is cooler and less humid. Safety in Copacabana and Ipanema has improved in recent years; the usual precautions (no jewellery, phone in a pocket, no isolated beach areas after dark) remain sensible.