Rio's Cristo Redentor reopens after extensive renovations

by Alexandra Forbes

The Cristo Redentor, Rio's most recognizeable landmark, was officially reopened in June after four months of renovations. Cracks in the gigantic Christ statue (38 meters tall) were mended, water infiltrations were fixed, and, to celebrate the end of the works in high style, the monument was lit up in green and yellow for the first week of July.

Visitors should not that landslides have foreced authorities to close down the road leading up to the sought-after attraction, and only taxis are allowed to go through.

Landing in Rio: spectacular scenery from the plane

Ricardo Freire, Brazil's most famous travel writer, is spending Carnival in Rio, filming a series of ads for the web portal Hotéis.com.

In fact, he's just landed in Rio, and we thought we'd share the awesome pics he took from the plane, as he landed. Above, the famous Sugarloaf.




WOW.



The Maracanã stadium, one of the biggest in the world....





The world-famous Christ statue (Cristo Redentor).





More Sugarloaf...





Ricardo Freire's original blog post, in Portuguese, here.

Cristo Redentor statue in Rio stars in Hollywood blockbuster

Scary thought: Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the world's most iconic monuments, being washed away by a ferocious tide, as the end of the world arrives early. What the ?!

The image above is actually a promo for the movie 2012, being released by Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures in November. It's about... uh... the end of the world! Here's the movie's site.

Or better yet: go see the real thing.




The Christ Redeemer statue was deservedly elected by the cariocas the "The Wonder of Rio". The statue itself is only 38 meters tall – but it sits at the top of Corcovado Hill, 710 meters above sea level. Officially, it pays homage not only to Christ but to Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil's patron saint, and it's been drawing thousands of tourists since 1931. A few years ago it underwent a huge renovation and powerful lights were installed so that it can be seen from virstually all over Rio. Cars are allowed to drive up the mountain, but the easiest and safest way is to take a cab to the starting point of the tram that takes tourists up, which is on Cosme Velho road. The train runs every day, from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Information: +55 (21) 2558-1329.

Official site for the Christ the Redeemer statue and Corcovado Mountain
Video showing the Christ the Redeemer statue and Corcovado Mountain

Photos: courtesy of Riotur