Tijuca National Park - Statue of Christ on Corcovado

(Local Name: Parque Nacional da Tujica - Cristo Redentor) Statue of Christ

From Rua do Cosme Velho the Corcovado rack railway (3.5km/2.2mi) chugs up Corcovado ("Hunchback"; 709m/2326ft). On the summit of the hill is a gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) erected in 1931, a world-famed Rio landmark. Including the 8m/26ft high base with its chapel, the statue has a total height of 38m/125ft and weighs 1145 tons. The head and hands were carved from models by the French sculptor Paul Landowsky.