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Bucket Lists?
Doesn’t everyone have one?
I do. Mine is pretty lengthy and covers things all over the world. Steadily marking things off, I always hope to make some headway but I guess I need to quit adding to the list.
Recently, I found myself heading down to Rio, a first for me. Immediately, I realized that there was something on my bucket list that I could accomplish.
Christ the Redeemer Statue. Cristo Redentor.
The immense art deco statue, made of concrete and soapstone and measuring 98 feet high (with a 26 foot pedestal), was created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and completed in 1931. Weighing a massive 635 metric tons it is located at the peak of Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park. Listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is a symbol of Christianity across the world, a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil and the most visited landmark in the country.
After arriving and discovering a beautiful day awaited me, a quick shower gave me the wake-up call I needed and I was off to Praça do Lido to purchase my ticket and take the provided transportation up to the summit.
Driving through the city was fascinating…the architecture and busy streets held my attention until I realized we were climbing. After a while, we pulled into the National Park area and the Cosme Velho station. Here, we were transferred to another van which would take us the remainder of the way to the statue.
It is important to note that there are a couple of other ways to make your way to the station. A cab can be taken to the Cosme Velho station, just be aware that there are no set rates and the meter should be turned on. From, here you can arrange to take one of the vans or the Cog train to the top of the mountain. If you are the adventuresome type and trying to work off the many pastels you ate for dinner the night before, you might consider hiking the remainder of the way.
After the short ride to the top, I disembarked and ascended the steep stairs, passing amazing overlooks, restaurants and gift shops hawking rosaries and replicas of the statue. My first glimpse of the formidable statue was from the rear, but even at this angle, I must say, it took my breath away.
A few more steps and there I was. Looking into Cristo Rendtor’s face.
Check.
Looking up at the statue in the afternoon light was more than I could ever imagine. Tall and imposing, the statue towers over the mountain and keeps watch over the surrounding city…which by the way, offers unobstructed views of Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and the neighboring mountains. I couldn’t have asked for more, however, if I ever returned, I think that it would be in the morning to have the brilliant sunlight on the statue’s front side.
Be sure to check out the busts at the rear of the statue depicting the engineer and Archbishop who were instrumental in the building of the statue as well as the small chapel.
Though relatively crowded, your admission ticket does not dictate how much time you can spend at the statue and believe me, take your time. Relish it! Enjoy it!
Whip out that notebook and pencil and make that big check mark!
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Santuario Cristo Redentor
- https://cristoredentoroficial.com.br/
- Address: Parque Nacional da Tijuca – Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil
- Hours: 0800-1900, daily
- Admission: Adults, R$43 (about $11.50 US), Children R$21.50 (about $5.75 US), Children under 6, free.
- Getting There: By Van from Largo do Machado and Praça do Lido.
R$ 74 (high season/ weekends and holidays) and R$ 61 (low season / week days) – Children from 5 to 11 years old, R$ 48. Children under 5, free. Seniors over 60 years, Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazil, R$ 40,50. Transportation and admission included in price.
Business hours: Daily, 8am-4pm (Praça do Lido) and 8am-5pm (Largo do Machado).