Rio de Janeiro’s iconic and soaring “Christ the Redeemer” has met its vertical match: an even larger statue of Jesus approaching nearly half an hour west of southern Brazil.
The new 42-meter-high Jesus statue that now rises above the city of Encantado – dubbed “Christ the Protector” – is 4.5 meters longer than its coastal counterpart.
The new statue has been under construction since 2019, but the head and outstretched arms were added this week, according to France24.com. It is on track to be ready by the end of this year.
With an arm span of 36 meters, the new “Protector” also enjoys a significant reach advantage. The arm span of the “Savior” is only 28 meters.
The $ 320,000 price tag will be raised through donations.
“It’s a day to celebrate, for dedication,” local politician Gilson Conzatti told French news agency AFP after the arms and head of the new statue were attached.
Completed in 1931, the older statue closed to tourists last March due to concerns about social distance.