World famous for its carnival, hosting the World Cup in 1950, 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular destination to discover. Brazil's second-largest city is a travellers dream with its endless beaches and Latino atmosphere. Rio also has one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World: Christ the Redeemer, which welcomes 750,000 visitors every year, a must if you are passing through Rio de Janeiro.
The emblem of a country
From the top of Mount Corcovado (which means "hunchback" in Portuguese), Christ the Redeemer watches over Rio. In 1922, Brazil celebrated 100 years of independence and just like many other countries, a monument was built in this honour. The statue was built after long discussions between the church and the state, and it was its location that brought about many changes. Christ the Redeemer is today an internationally recognised emblem and its creation is the result of a work between a Brazilian engineer, Heitor Da Silva Costa, and a French sculptor, Albert Caquot. The head of Christ was designed by a Romanian sculptor, Gheorghe Leonida.
Situated at an altitude of 710 metres, you will be impressed by this 38-metre high statue weighing 1,445 tons, making it one of the largest statues of Christ in the world, a visit not to be missed. Classified as a historical monument since 1973, the statue, located in the heart of the Tijuca Forest National Park, is on the list of all travellers staying in Rio.
In 2007, the New Seven Wonders Foundation added Christ the Redeemer to the list of the Wonders of the Modern World. This private foundation, composed of internationally renowned architects, such as Tadao Ando, decided in 2007 to carry out a vote in which millions of Internet users were able to participate. Votes were cast on 21 monuments including, for example, the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá in Mexico. All of them met very precise architectural criteria, although Christ the Redeemer was then elected.
With what Rio and Bahia have to offer, Brazil is an ideal destination for tourists in search of parties, sports and sightseeing, as the country has something for every type of traveller.
It is preferable to go there for at least 2 weeks because of the long flight durations and the multitude of activities not to be missed. If you visit the country during the carnival period, which takes place the week of February 21 to 26, enjoy a unique experience between balls and colourful parades.
If you're not a party-lover, Brazil is a perfect destination for hikers. Discover the National Park dos Lençóis Maranhenses on foot or the Chapada Diamantina Park in Bahia and stroll on beautiful beaches such as Itamambuca, or even discover the Ilha Grande, the largest island in the state of Rio.
8 (10 max.)
4
4
