You see it in every postcard. That massive Art Deco figure looking out over the Guanabara Bay, arms stretched wide like he’s about to give all of Rio de Janeiro a giant hug. It looks eternal, doesn’t it? Like it’s just always been part of the Corcovado mountain, carved out of the rock since the beginning of time. But the truth is a lot more "human." It wasn't built in a day. It wasn't even built in a year. When you ask when was Christ the Redeemer built, the answer is a grueling nine-year stretch between 1922 and 1931.
It was a project born of anxiety, honestly. Back in the early 1920s, the Catholic Circle of Rio was worried that Brazilian society was becoming a bit too "godless" after World War I. They wanted a symbol. They wanted something so big you couldn't ignore it.
The 1922 Kickoff and the "Day of the Monument"
The first stone was actually laid on April 4, 1922. This was a huge deal because it was the centennial of Brazil's independence from Portugal. But here is the thing: they didn't even have a final design yet. Imagine starting a construction project of this scale without a finished blueprint. They just knew they wanted something up there.
It took another year for the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa to really win people over with the design we see today. His original idea was actually Christ holding a cross and a globe, but people joked it looked like "Christ with a ball," so he pivoted. He teamed up with Carlos Oswald and later the French sculptor Paul Landowski.
Construction didn't really get into full swing until 1926. So, if you’re looking for a specific window, 1926 to 1931 is when the actual heavy lifting happened.
💡 You might also like: Lava Beds National Monument: What Most People Get Wrong About California's Volcanic Underworld
Soapstone and Concrete: A Material Nightmare
Brazil didn't have the tech to make a statue that size out of pure metal or stone back then. It’s basically reinforced concrete. But concrete is ugly. It’s gray, it’s industrial, and it weathers terribly. Da Silva Costa wanted something that would shimmer in the moonlight and resist the salt air.
He found his answer in soapstone (steatite).
It's soft enough to carve with a fingernail but tough enough to handle Rio's brutal humidity. They cut millions of tiny triangular soapstone tiles. Get this: local women actually glued these tiles onto sheets of mesh. Legend has it they even wrote the names of their loved ones on the back of the tiles before they were stuck to the statue. So, the monument is literally covered in thousands of secret messages and prayers.
Why It Took Until 1931
Building on top of a 2,300-foot mountain is a logistical disaster. There was no road. Everything—the sand, the water, the massive concrete blocks, and those delicate soapstone tiles—had to be hauled up the mountain via a small cog train.
📖 Related: Road Conditions I40 Tennessee: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Asphalt
Think about the conditions.
High winds.
Scorching heat.
Lightning strikes (which still happen about four to six times a year, by the way).
Yet, miraculously, nobody died during the construction. For the 1920s, that was basically a divine intervention in itself. The project finally wrapped up and was officially inaugurated on October 12, 1931. That’s your date. Nine years of fundraising, designing, and hauling rocks up a cliffside.
The French Connection Most People Ignore
While we think of it as a purely Brazilian icon, the head and hands were actually sculpted in France. Paul Landowski, a Polish-French sculptor, worked on them in pieces. He never even visited Rio to see the finished product. He sent the clay pieces over to Brazil, where they were recreated in concrete. It’s this weird, beautiful hybrid of French Art Deco style and Brazilian engineering.
Making Sense of When Christ the Redeemer Was Built
When you're standing at the base of the statue today, you’re looking at over 600 tons of material. It’s 98 feet tall, not counting the 26-foot pedestal. If you’re planning a trip, keep in mind that the statue is constantly being repaired. Because it's so exposed, the soapstone tiles need replacing often.
👉 See also: Finding Alta West Virginia: Why This Greenbrier County Spot Keeps People Coming Back
Since the original quarry used in the 1920s is exhausted, the replacement stones are slightly darker. The statue is slowly changing color over time. It’s a living thing, in a way.
Myths vs. Reality
- Myth: It was a gift from France (like the Statue of Liberty).
- Reality: Nope. It was almost entirely funded by the Catholic community in Brazil.
- Myth: It’s hollow so you can go inside.
- Reality: It is hollow, containing a heart-shaped relief and a narrow staircase for maintenance, but it's definitely not a tourist attraction inside. Only workers and the occasional adventurous priest usually go up there.
How to Visit Without the 1920s Struggle
If you want to see the 1931 masterpiece for yourself, don't try to hike it unless you're experienced. The "Trem do Corcovado" is the way to go—it’s the same railway line used to haul the materials back in the day.
- Book in advance. Seriously. The lines are soul-crushing if you just show up.
- Go early. The first train leaves at 8:00 AM. If you’re on it, you might actually get a photo without 400 other people's heads in it.
- Check the clouds. If Rio is foggy, you won't see the statue. You'll literally be standing in a cloud staring at a gray wall. Check the live cameras before you buy your ticket.
- Look for the heart. On the chest of the statue, there’s a small protrusion. That’s the "Heart of Jesus," the only internal part of the statue that's visible from the outside.
The story of when was Christ the Redeemer built is really a story of Brazilian persistence. It wasn't some quick government project. It was a decade of people gluing tiles, riding trains, and hoping that a giant concrete man wouldn't fall off a cliff. It’s a miracle it’s still standing as perfectly as it is.
Actionable Insight for Travelers:
To truly appreciate the engineering of the 1930s, take the cog train (Trem do Corcovado) instead of the vans. It follows the original path used by the builders and offers the most historic perspective of the climb. Always book your "Time-Stamped Ticket" via the official Corcovado website at least 48 hours in advance to avoid the mid-day heat and peak crowds.