Where Is the Christ the Redeemer Statue?

Resting on a 26-foot (8 meters) high stone pedestal is a giant statue of Jesus of Nazareth — Cristo Redentor  Portuguese for Christ the Redeemer. This iconic statue is one of the seven wonders of the world. But where is it located?

Christ the Redeemer statue is located in Brazil, a country in the central-eastern part of South America. The statue is on top of Mount Corcovado, which is in the Tijuca Forest National Park.

This article will answer questions with regard to where the statue is located, how to get there, and other tips and tricks to remember should a tourist decide to visit the place and see the statue for themselves.

Also see How Tall Is Christ the Redeemer? to learn more.

Jesus Christ statue Brazil
What mountain is Christ the Redeemer on? See below

What Mountain Is Christ the Redeemer On?

Christ the Redeemer statue is on top of Mount Corcovado. The mountain is situated in the Tijuca Forest National Park, which is west of the city center. [2]

Corcovado translates to “hunchback” in Portuguese. The mountain on which Christ the Redeemer sits is shaped like a hunchback, hence its name. Mount Corcovado rises 2,329 feet (710 meters) into the Brazilian skies. Due to its height, the mountain served as a point for observing the city’s panoramic views long before the iconic statue was built.

The giant Christ the Redeemer statue did not get to the top of the high mountain fully built. Instead, it was assembled on top of the mountain. All resources needed for construction (including labor and materials) were ferried up the hill on a cog train. 

What City Is Christ the Redeemer Closest To?

Christ the Redeemer statue is closest to Brazil’s capital, Rio De Janeiro. The enormous statue stands overlooking it. Rio de Janeiro is an enormous city near the Atlantic Ocean coastline. [3] The city is known for its beautiful landscape, iconic landmarks, carnival, samba, beautiful beaches, and much more.

Also see Who Built Christ the Redeemer? to learn more.

Christ the Redeemer statue
What is it like visiting Christ the Redeemer statue? See below

What Is It Like Visiting Christ the Redeemer Statue?

Visiting Christ the Redeemer statue requires tourists to take any of the following means of transportation: train, van, hike, or tour. It is best to visit the statue on weekdays under favorable weather conditions. Here are a few things a tourist should know before deciding to visit Cristo Redentor.

How To Arrive at Christ the Redeemer Statue

Visitors can get to Christ the Redeemer using any of the following means:

  • Train
  • Van
  • Tour
  • Hike

Train

The cog train is perhaps the most popular means of getting to the site. Tourists will first need to get to the train station at the foot of Corcovado Mountain. They can arrive at the station by taxi or metro. The train ride is via the picturesque Atlantic Forest and takes roughly 20 minutes to the top of the mountain. 

The train departs the station every 30 minutes, but people wait for hours due to the long lines. To avoid this, most people book a ticket online beforehand. [4] The prices range from $61 to $79 depending on the time of year.

Van 

The vans are available for pick-ups every day from 8 am to 4:30 pm. They depart from the following official points every 15 minutes:

  • Largo do Machado
  • Copacabana
  • Barra da Tijuca e 
  • Centro de Visitantes Paineiras

The van trip to Christ the Redeemer is between 30 minutes and one hour and is cheaper than the train. The ticket prices range from $25 to $40 depending on the season. 

Pro tip: Arrive at the departure venue at least an hour early, as visitors may have to line up in long queues otherwise.

By Tour

Visiting the site with a tour guide is by far the simplest and safest way, especially when a tourist is not fluent in the Portuguese language. Here are other reasons to visit Cristo Redentor with a tour guide:

  • They save the time and energy of getting to a departure station by picking tourists up from their hotels.
  • The tour package may include site-seeing other iconic Rio de Janeiro places like Sugarloaf Mountain.
  • They have English-speaking guides who will walk visitors through the history of the statue, as well as any other notable structures surrounding it.

Hiking

The hiking trail begins at Parque Lage near the botanical garden. It takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Christ the Redeemer. The hike is free of charge, but tourists might need to pay a small fee if they choose to take a guided group. They should also leave their valuables in their hotel room, as the area is known for muggings.

Also see Why Was Christ the Redeemer Built? to learn more.

Christ statue in Brazil
When is it best to visit the statue? See below

Best Times To Visit Christ the Redeemer

The place is open throughout the year. Therefore, anyone can visit anytime. However, as it can receive up to thousands of visitors daily, it is best to be there early — e.g., 8 am or later in the evening at around 4 pm — to avoid crowds. 

Touring the statue on a weekday rather than on the weekend is also best. This is because, during the weekends, the place is crowded due to visits from locals.

Another crucial factor to consider is the weather. Rio de Janeiro usually experiences warm weather. But since the statue is at the summit of a mountain in a forest, it can get foggy or cloudy. Therefore, tourists need to book their tickets in advance.

What To Carry During the Trip

When visiting Christ the Redeemer, visitors should have the following items with them:

  • Water and snacks: Rio de Janeiro is mostly sunny and hot. Therefore, having an abundant supply of water is crucial. Snacks should also be brought along to maintain energy.
  • Comfortable flat shoes: Since Cristo Redentor is on top of a mountain, visitors need to prepare for a long climb. Sturdy yet comfortable footwear like rubber shoes are ideal for this purpose.
  • Hat and sunscreen: To prevent sunburn, visitors should use sunscreen. They must also wear a hat to protect their heads and faces.

Also see How Was Christ the Redeemer Built? to learn more.

References:
[1] Source
[2] Source
[3] Source
[4] Source

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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