Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca National Forest, atop Corcovado Mountain in Brazil. She is considered an icon of Rio de Janeiro. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In 1850, the idea of ​​building a religious monument was first suggested by a Catholic priest and was financed by the Catholic community of Brazil. In 1989, after Brazil became a republic, a law separating church and state was promulgated, and Brazil wanted its monument to commemorate the centennial of independence. As a result, it was not until 1920 that a group asked for support to build a landmark statue that became a reality. The design, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, was chosen from several ideas and construction began in 1922, taking nine years to finish. Christ the Redeemer cost $250,000 to build. This is equivalent to 2.3 million British pounds today. The construction, supervised by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, was made of reinforced concrete and externally composed of soapstone, imported from Sweden, for the material's resistance to bad weather over time. This monument has huge meaning and significance as it is not only an icon but has a cultural purpose and symbolism for Brazil as it shows the religious beliefs and importance of Jesus. The right arm points to the south of Rio de Janeiro and the left arm points to the north of Rio de Janeiro and represents Christ, he loves everyone and will embrace everything that comes his way. A chapel used for ceremonies was placed at the base of the Landmark. The original idea for a monument to Christ came from a group of Brazilians who, in the wake of World War I, feared the advancing wave of impiety. As Christ showed benevolence and tolerance, Brazilians and tourists feel and share the same qualities. The statue, weighing 635 tons and 120 feet tall, reached by 220 steps, is the most visited place in Brazil with over a million people a year. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay In 2006, Christ the Redeemer was proclaimed a national heritage site and sanctuary, and a year later it was included in the list of the seven wonders of the world. It is considered the largest art deco in the world and the fifth largest in the world. The Redeemer is a classic symbol of Rio De Janeiro, with its long history and the meaning of its existence. Even today, after more than 80 years, it manages to amaze and amaze with its splendor..