CRISTO REDENTOR - CORCOVADO

This is the second postcard of the city of Rio, along with the Sugar Loaf. Christ the Redeemer stands cross-legged atop Corcovado Hill, protecting the city of Rio. From this magical spot, you have a marvellous view of Guanabara Bay, the beaches of the Zona Sul, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the North Zone with the Maracanã stadium. When the weather is fine and visibility permits, you can see the entire Sierra dos Orgãos mountain range. The view is unforgettable.

The mountain, which rises to an altitude of 709 m, is nestled in the heart of a thick green forest. Tijuca Forest is an urban National Park. In the ^19th century, Colonel Archer was commissioned by the Emperor to replant it, as coffee monoculture had destroyed the immense local biodiversity.

The Corcovado train, powered by a steam locomotive, was inaugurated on October 9, 1884 by Emperor Dom Pedro II to climb the morro. In 1910, it became the country's first electrified railroad, carrying 70 passengers. The current trains, of Swiss origin, began operating in 1979.

The sculpture of Christ the Redeemer, 31 m high and 27 m wide from hand to hand, weighs 1,145 tonnes and stands on an 8 m-high plinth. It is clad in soapstone, or steatite, a rock typical of Brazil and widely used for sculpture. The structure was built to celebrate 100 years of Brazilian independence under the presidency of Getúlio Vargas. It was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. The hands and face were sculpted by Frenchman Paul Landowski; beneath the sculpture is a small chapel dedicated to Brazil's patron saint, Santa Aparecida, the saint of miracles.

In January 2014, lightning struck the statue, damaging two of its fingers. The photos were shown around the world, even though, according to specialists, the phenomenon is commonplace: around six lightning strikes a year strike Christ.

Check the weather forecast when you arrive! Corcovado is THE must-see in Rio, but to enjoy this unique scenario, you need clear skies. The weather in Rio is often unstable, due to the tropical climate and the sea inlets. With the statue of Christ towering over 700 meters above sea level, if there are a few clouds in the sky, chances are you'll be enveloped in clouds! The view is then blocked and opens up for a few minutes on the city in places when the wind sweeps them away. It's essential to check the weather forecast day by day, or even hour by hour if you're in Rio in summer, as the rainy season is punctuated by alternating storms and sunshine.

Go very early in the morning, as it takes a long time to get up there, and the high temperatures create a white haze that impairs visibility from 11 a.m. until nightfall.

By train. The little Corcovado train is a must, but only carries a few privileged passengers. If you arrive at the lower station, you'll probably find that no trains are available before 3, 4 or 5 p.m. - or even the next day! With the advent of the Internet, on-the-spot reservations have been compromised by the purchase of online tickets on the train's website...: book yourself online and make sure you arrive on time, as there are traffic jams in Rio in this area, or take a minibus.

By minibus. A minibus company runs shuttle buses between Corcovado and Copacabana, Largo de Machado and Paineiras. The system is well-established and well-organized, andtickets can be purchased online or on the spot. We recommend this option, the quickest and safest way to visit Corcovado day by day. If you're using public transport and staying in Copacabana or Ipanema, take the shuttle bus from Copacabana. If you're staying anywhere else in Rio, take the metro to Largo de Machado, and at the exit on the square is the minivan departure for Corcovado. Convenient, because you don't waste time in traffic jams or money in cabs, the ride is almost direct, the ticket is round-trip and there's not much of a queue waiting for the minivans. If you're staying in Santa Teresa and you're resourceful and on a budget, take a cab to Paineiras via the top of Santa Teresa, which always goes straight up after Largo de Guimarães (compulsory meter, around R$30 a ride), insist that it drops you off at the very top and that it doesn't get off at the train... you'll pass through this magnificent jungle and corniche road without any traffic jams. For the return journey, however, you're unlikely to find a cab, as Paineiras is designed more for motorized tourists who park on site. Make sure you book a cab.

By car. If you have a car, drive up to Paineiras at the foot of Corcovado (the last accessible point for private vehicles and cabs) on the heights of Cosme Velho, and park in the parking lot provided. It will cost you half the price to get to Corcovado per person!

On foot. It's a 3-hour walk from Parque Lage, and you'll need a guide, as the path is difficult to find and can be dangerous. Contact a specialized agency such as Rio Adventures.