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Saviour's statue in Rio de Janeiro
„Lord created a world within six days. On seventh day, he created Rio de Janeiro“. In such way, Brasilians explain marvellous position and beauty of their town. Rio de Janeiro was a capital till 
1960, when completely new capital Brasilia in inland was established (Nevertheless, Rio de Janeiro is the greatest banking and business centre till now). Rio de Janeiro is to be noted for all characteristics of paradise. The town is surrounded with mountains, arising from azure blue sea, and it is bordered with white sand coast, covered with palms. The town was founded even in 1567, afterthat, when Portugueses put to flight Frenchmen (they lived here since 1555). Drying of this swampy countryside enabled town´s development. Anyway, 18th century became quite important for Rio, when mining in Minas Gerais golden mines started. In 1763, Rio de Janeiro was a seat od Portuguese Viceroy of Brasil. Nevertheless, the symbol of the town became Saviour´s statue (Cristo Redentor).
The statue is placed on Corcovado Hill (704 m). Anyway, its popular name is „hump“, thanks to its form. The statue is 30 metres high and is located on a socle of 7 metres high (this serves as a chapel at the same time). An idea to create this statue was born in 1922, at the opportunity of 100th anniversary of Brasilian independence. At that time, one known weekly suggested a competition, regarding national monument. A winner – Hector da Silva – had an idea to create statue of Jesus Crist, stretching arms, in order to embrace the town. His gesture world express a sympathy and joy from independence. This idea was accepted with an enthusiasm (former plan was: location of Christopher Columbus statue on Sugar Loaf, 395 m high.Its name is probably derived from Indian world paunh-acuqua, and means, in Tupi Indian tribe language: high hill). The church arranged all around Brasil private collection, so that this project could be realized. And this effort was successfull: the statue was located on its place within ten years. Before the construction begun, famous architects, engineers and sculptors met in Paris, in order to discuss and consult about technical difficulties, regarding statue construction, which will be on top of hill exposed against the wind and various freaks of weather. Paul Landowski, French sculptor, began to model a head and hands, whereas the architects and engineers were engaged with construction of a body and arms. The axis tallness, which was necessary to be overcome, is obvious from the following statistics: Statue´s head weights 35,6 tonns, each hand 9,1 tonns and a distance from one stretched arm to the other makes 23 meters. The statue was transported from Paris to Rio de Janeiro and placed on the top of Corcovado Hill.
On 12th October 1931, the first consacration was effected, and lighting system was installed. In 1965, all this ceremony was repeated by Pope Paul VI. and, on this occasion, the whole lighting system was re-newed. Next great ceremony was taken place at presence of Pope John Paul II. on 12th October 1981, on occasion of 50th anniversary of statue location. To the top of the hill, there was built a railway, constructed in 1885, its termination is located 40 meter below the peak. From terminus, there is a way with 220 stairs towards statue-socle, where view-terrace is to be found. On right side, we have a view to Copacabana and Ipanema beach, on left side, there is to be seen Maracana (greatest football-soccer stadium of the world) and international airport, just opposite you find striking silhouette of Sugar Loaf. To important attractions in Rio de Janeiro belongs also pompous carnival . It is celebrated in the atmosphere of high summer. For four days, Rio whirls round in rhytm of samba-dance, in order to forger evry-day misery and gaudy differences between poverty and wealth.
Text: Jakub Štantejský
Photo: Google Earth
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