Visitors can now head down a little further south as Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer is not the only statue attracting tourist attention in Brazil. The construction of a taller statue of Jesus Christ than Christ the Redeemer has been completed in the town of Encantado. Locally known as Cristo Protetor de Encantado, Christ the Protector is a 141 ft tall statue which took almost three years to complete. Located in Rio Grande do Sul, the statue is about 975 miles southwest of the famous Christ the Redeemer in Rio atop Mount Corcovado.
Image credits: Top: Pledge Times; Above: Silvio Avila
Designed by the father son duo, Genesio Gomes Moura and son Markus Moura, the statue is made of steel and concrete and is far more intricately designed than the 91 year old Christ the Redeemer. Its life-like hair, facial features and fuller robe shares an Art Deco-leaning style with Rio’s Christ the Redeemer alongside advanced technical progress such as an elevator. A glass heart adjoined at the centre of the statue works as a lookout point for tourists to ride up and enjoy the region’s natural beauty.
Image credits: Jornal NH
The statue is advertized as the third largest of Jesus Christ in the world, following the Christ the King statue in Poland, which measures at 172 ft and 252 ft tall statue which is being built in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico. It is 4.9 m taller than Rio’s structure. Friends of Christ Association (AACristo) has reportedly paid nearly $353,000 for the construction of the statue and is still welcoming donations. However, the statue will be opened for visitors by the first half of 2023. Upon completion, the area is expected to have shops, restaurants, and various viewpoints surrounding the statue.
Image credits: Eternity News