Rio de Janeiro’s iconic and towering “Christ the Savior” met its vertical match: an even higher statue of Jesus that is half an hour west in the south of Brazil.
The new Jesus statue, which is 140 meters long and now rises above the city of Encantado – called ‘Christ the Protector’ – is 15 feet higher than its counterpart on the coast.
The new statue has been under construction since 2019, but its head and outstretched arms were added this week, according to France24.com. It will be completed according to schedule late this year.
With a span of 118 feet, the new “Protector” also enjoys a significant advantage. “Savior” has a width of only 92 feet.
The $ 320,000 prize is raised through donations.
“This is a day of celebration, of dedication,” local politician Gilson Conzatti told French news agency AFP after the arms and head of the new statue were attached.
The older statue, completed in 1931, was closed to tourists last year due to worrying social problems.