A new statue of Christ being built in Brazil will be taller than the famous Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
‘Christ the Protector’, in the southern city of Encantado, will be 43m (140 ft) high, making it the world’s third tallest Jesus statue.
Association of the Friends of Christ, group which is organising it says, it will name the statue ‘Christ the Protector’ and hope it inspires faith and boosts tourism in the city of Encantado.
A head and outstretched arms were added to the structure last week, which was begun in 2019. Tourists will be able to view the surrounding countryside from an observation platform in the statue’s chest.
The idea came from local politician Adroaldo Conzatti, who died in March with Covid-19. Genesio and Markus Moura, a father and son duo, are overseeing the work. It’s set to cost around 2 million reals, the equivalent of £256,000.
The project is expected to be completed later in the year, the Association of the Friends of Christ said.
It is being funded by donations from individuals and companies, the association adds.
The statue is 36m from hand to hand. An internal lift will take tourists to a viewpoint in the chest region, 40m up.
Only Jesus Buntu Burake statue in Sulawesi, Indonesia (52.55m) and Christ the King in Swiebodzin, Poland (52.5m) are taller.
Rio’s iconic 90-year-old Christ the Redeemer statue stands at 38m.
(Picture Courtesy: AFP/Getty Images)
