Encantado's New Christ Statue in Brazil, Soon To Rise Higher Than Rio de Janeiro's

In Encantado, Brazil, a new statue of Christ will soon rise taller than the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

The new structure being built in the southern city of Encantado is called "Christ the Protector." It will rise 140 feet (43 meters) high with its pedestal, which makes it the third tallest Jesus Christ statue in the world. 

To compare with, Christ the Redeemer in Rio stands 38 meters high, including its pedestal. Its expanse reaches 28 meters from hand to hand. This October, it will mark its 90th anniversary and currently undergoes restoration. This statue was made by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa along with French engineer Albert Caquot. The construction of the monument started in 1922 until 1331, which took almost nine years and was opened to the public on Oct. 12, 1931.  

The building of Encantado's new Christ statue, on the other hand, started last year and was spearheaded by a local politician, Adroaldo Conzatti. He succumbed to the Coronavirus in March of the same year. 

The project is valued at $350,000 (2 million reals) and is anticipated its completion later this year. According to the Association of the Friends of Christ group, it is funded by donations from both companies and individuals. 

Last week, the head was added along with stretched-out arms. The arm span measures 36 meters from hand to hand. A built-in internal will take locals and tourists to a viewing platform in the chest region which is 40 meters up.

Gilson Conzatti said, "It is a day for celebration, for devotion." Gilson is a local councilor and the son of the late elder Adroaldo Conzatti who was then the mayor before he died. 

Encantado's new Christ statue is meant to rouse faith and, at the same time, draw tourists to the region. The father-son team sculptors, Genesio and Markus Moura, supervise the project.