Christ the Redeemer statue inaugurated in Rio de Janeiro

On October 12, 1931, the Christ the Redeemer statue was officially opened to visitors atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The monument stands 39.6 meters tall, including its 9.5-meter pedestal, and features a 28-meter arm span. Constructed from reinforced concrete and clad in soapstone, the statue has become a global symbol of Christianity and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The construction process, which took place between 1922 and 1931, involved significant engineering challenges due to the high altitude and perilous working conditions. The project was designed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, with contributions from sculptor Paul Landowski and French engineer Albert Caquot. Heitor Levy, the site engineer and construction manager, lived on the mountain for five years to oversee the work, surviving a near-fatal fall from the scaffolding during the process.