# Religious heritage and tourism in Rio de Janeiro > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/religious-heritage-and-tourism-in-rio-de-janeiro > Updated: 2026-10-22T14:42:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Religious and historical sites in Rio de Janeiro are undergoing initiatives to enhance tourism and preservation. In mid-October, the Christ the Redeemer Archdiocesan Sanctuary and the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara in Petrópolis signed a twinning agreement. This partnership aims to cooperate on evangelization, heritage preservation, and religious tourism, including the installation of a Tourism Pastoral in the Diocese of Petrópolis. By late October, the Rio de Janeiro State Government launched a R$ 72.1 million restoration project for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian. This major intervention includes restoring the bell tower, upgrading electrical systems, and cleaning the concrete facade and stained-glass sets. To support tourism, a new official boarding point for visitors traveling to Christ the Redeemer has been established at the Metropolitan Cathedral. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: Rio de Janeiro begins major restoration of Metropolitan Cathedral Rio de Janeiro has started a R$ 72.1 million restoration of the Metropolitan Cathedral, including its bells and stained glass, while establishing a new tourist van stop at the site. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-begins-major-restoration-of-metropolitan-cathedral ### 2026-10-11: Cristo Redentor and Petrópolis Cathedral form religious tourism partnership Christ the Redeemer and the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara have signed a partnership to promote religious tourism, heritage preservation, and cultural cooperation in Rio de Janeiro state. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cristo-redentor-and-petrpolis-cathedral-form-religious-tourism-partnership --- Cite as: Religious heritage and tourism in Rio de Janeiro. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/religious-heritage-and-tourism-in-rio-de-janeiro