Christ the Redeemer: Height, History, Lightning Strikes

Height including pedestal: 124 feet (38 meters) ·
Arm span: 92 feet (28 meters) ·
Location: Mount Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ·
Year completed: 1931 ·
Material: Reinforced concrete with soapstone mosaic

The numbers below separate the statue itself from the monument as a whole.

The pattern: the statue’s height and weight place it among the largest Art Deco structures ever built — a deliberate choice to make it visible from nearly every corner of Rio.

Why is Christ the Redeemer so famous?

Symbol of Christianity and Brazil

• Built as a national religious project funded by donations, the statue represents Brazil’s deep Catholic roots (CasaCor/Abril).
• Its location on 710-meter Mount Corcovado makes it visible from up to 40 kilometers away, anchoring the city’s identity (Agência Brasil).

Art Deco design and scale

• Designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the statue is the world’s largest Art Deco monument (Google Arts & Culture).
• The outstretched arms span 92 feet, creating a cross-like silhouette that reinforces the religious symbolism (Britannica).

The implication: the statue’s fame rests on a triple foundation — spiritual meaning, engineering ambition, and a location that turns a monument into a beacon.

Is Christ the Redeemer in the 7 Wonders of the World?

New7Wonders of the World designation

• In 2007, the statue was voted one of the New7Wonders of the World in a global poll organized by the New7Wonders Foundation (Britannica).
• It is not part of the original ancient Seven Wonders, which were destroyed or lost (History.com).

Criteria for selection

• The poll involved over 100 million votes worldwide, with winners including Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China, and the Colosseum (Britannica).
• Selection criteria emphasized cultural significance, architectural achievement, and global recognition (New7Wonders Foundation).

The catch: the New7Wonders list is a modern, crowd-sourced distinction — it doesn’t carry the historical weight of the ancient list, but it does reflect current global popularity.

What are 5 facts about Christ the Redeemer?

Height and dimensions

• The statue itself stands 98 feet (30 meters) tall; with the 26-foot pedestal, it reaches 124 feet (Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer).
• Weight: 635 metric tons (Britannica).

Construction materials

• Made of reinforced concrete and covered with soapstone mosaic from Carandaí, Minas Gerais (Google Arts & Culture).
• The soapstone tiles were chosen for their durability and ease of cleaning (InfoEscola).

Lightning strikes

• At least three recorded strikes: 2014 (damaged thumb), 2016, and 2019 (Confinity).
• A lightning rod system was installed after the 2014 incident (G1).

Monopoly game appearance

• The statue appears in several editions of Monopoly, including the “Brazil” and “World” editions (Confinity).
• It’s unclear whether it appears in all editions; some regional versions may omit it (History.com).

Steps to the statue

• 220 steps lead from the base of the pedestal to the observation deck (Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer).
• Visitors can also use an elevator and escalators, making the site accessible (History.com).

The trade-off: the statue’s visibility and accessibility draw millions, but its exposed position on the mountain makes it a frequent target for lightning — a vulnerability that requires constant maintenance.

How many times has Christ the Redeemer been struck by lightning?

Notable lightning incidents

• 2014: A lightning strike during a storm damaged the statue’s right thumb (G1).
• 2016: Another strike occurred, reportedly causing minor damage (Confinity).
• 2019: A third recorded strike, again with visible damage to the head and fingers (Confinity).

Damage and repairs

• After the 2014 strike, a lightning rod system was installed on the head and arms (G1).
• Repairs involve replacing damaged soapstone tiles and checking the internal concrete structure (Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer).

Why this matters: the statue’s height and metal infrastructure make it a natural lightning rod — even with modern protection, each storm carries a risk that Rio’s most famous landmark will need another repair.

What is Jesus called in Brazil?

Portuguese name

• In Portuguese, the statue is called “Cristo Redentor,” which translates directly to “Christ the Redeemer” (Britannica).
• Locals often shorten it to “Cristo” or use “Jesus” informally (Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer).

Cultural significance

• The name reflects Brazil’s dominant Catholic faith — the country has the largest Catholic population in the world (History.com).
• The inauguration on October 12, 1931, coincided with the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil’s patron saint (Google Arts & Culture).

The pattern: the statue’s name is a direct reflection of Brazilian religious identity — it’s not just a landmark, but a living symbol of faith for tens of millions.

Six key dimensions anchor the statue’s physical presence:

The takeaway: the statue’s monumental scale becomes even more impressive knowing that each tile was hand-fitted on a mountain summit — a feat of early 20th-century engineering.

For the millions who visit each year, the choice is clear: see Cristo Redentor up close, or risk leaving Rio with a lingering sense of what you missed. The statue’s 98-foot frame and 92-foot arms demand a visit — and the 220 steps or the elevator will get you there.