Christ the Protector in Brazil: New statue to be even taller than Rio de Janeiro's Redeemer

The $350,000 project is set to be completed later this year

View of a statue, named Christ the Protector, being built in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. AFP

Construction on the Christ statue began in 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. AFP

It is located in the southern city of Encantado and is set to be a towering 43 metres high with its pedestal. AFP

The statue will span 36 metres from hand to hand. The chest region will contain a viewing deck, 40 metres above ground, which will be accessible by a lift. AFP

Once completed, Christ the Protector will be the world’s third tallest statue of Christ. AFP

The statue will cost $350,000 to make. AFP

Brazil is building a new statue of Christ, which will be taller than the renowned Redeemer statue that overlooks Rio de Janeiro.

Named Christ the Protector, the statue is located in the southern city of Encantado and is set to be a towering 43 metres high with its pedestal.

The idea for the project came from local politician Adroaldo Conzatti, the city's mayor, who died in March from the coronavirus. It is intended both to inspire faith and encourage tourism to the area, its promoters say.

Construction on the statue began in 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The statue’s head and outstretched arms were fitted last week. "It is a day for celebration, for devotion," Gilson Conzatti, a local councillor and son of Adroaldo, told AFP.

The statue will cost $350,000 to build. The Association of the Friends of Christ, the group organising the project, said the funds are being accrued by donations from individuals and companies.

A father-son team of sculptors, Genesio and Markus Moura, are overseeing the work.

The statue will span 36 metres from hand to hand. The chest region will contain a viewing deck, 40 metres above ground, and will be accessible by a lift.

Once completed, Christ the Protector will be the world’s third tallest statue of Christ after the Jesus Buntu Burake statue in Indonesia (52.55 metres) and Poland’s statue of Christ the King (52.5 metres), all of which tower over Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands at 38 metres and will mark its 90th birthday this October.

There are dozens of taller statues of religious icons around the world, several of which are of Buddha and the Virgin Mary.

- Additional reporting by AFP