One of the most popular tourist attractions in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, is the Corcovado. The Corcovado is a mountain and the name means ‘hunchback’ in Portuguese. Previously, the mountain was named Pinaculo da Tentacao, which means ‘Pinnacle of Temptation’.
The Corcovado Mountain is world famous for the huge Christ the Redeemer statue crowning its peak. From the peak tourists can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the sea and mountains. With outstretched arms the statue of Christ the Redeemer is 98 feet high and is situated on a 26-feet pedestal. The statute weighs 1,145 tons, and it also has a chapel which can accommodate 150 people.
This monument celebrated its 84th anniversary in 2014. It was inaugurated on 12th October, 1931, on the day of Our Lady of Aparecida (national patroness). The statue was designed by Carlos Oswald and developed by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. The statute took five years to complete.
Travelers can climb up the Corcovado by taking the century-old Corcovado Train or car. While travelling up by train they can experience the beautiful landscape of Rio De Janeiro. The train was inaugurated by Dom Pedro II , Emperor of Brazil, in 1884 and the whole ride takes around 20 minutes.
The ride is environment friendly as the train is electric. Part of the funds from the entrance tickets goes to the Brazilian Institute for the Preservation of Nature or IBAMA. While climbing the mountain you will pass through the largest urban forest in the world, the Tijuca Forest. It is a great place for walking and bicycle riding. In 1881 the whole forest was replanted with 60,000 trees by Major Manoel Gomes Archer.
Corcovado Map
Corcovado Mountain Facts
- The mountain peak is 2330-feet high and lies west of the city center.
- Corcovado is a granite peak.
Where is Corcovado ?
The Corcovado Mountain is located in central Rio De Janeiro. It is located inside the Tijuca Forest which is a national park. Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport is the nearest airport to the Corcovado mountain. The peak can be accessed both by road and railways.
Best time to visit Corcovado Mountain
The months from September through November are the best time to visit the Corcovado mountain.
More on Corcovado
Nearby Attractions : Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach and Tijuca Jungle.
Seven Things You must see in Brazil
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