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Four Decades After The Start Of The Works, The Statue Of Saint Anthony Remains Incomplete, Keeps The Head Separated From The Body And Still Faces Structural Delays
After more than 40 years of waiting, the statue of Saint Anthony in Caridade, in the interior of Ceará, has returned to the center of attention because a new stage of the project was announced by the state government in 2023. The plan was to deliver the work in the second half of 2024, therefore a year ago. That did not happen.
The monument remains incomplete and the body remains headless.
The head exists, but is almost three kilometers away from where it should be, positioned in a housing complex in the city.
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A Story That Began In 1984
The construction began in 1984 and has gone through different administrations. Moreover, this was not the first attempt to finish the monument. There were already projects presented in 1998, 2002, 2007, and 2009, all without conclusion, as reported by Folha de São Paulo.
The current investment is approximately R$ 11 million. Even so, the work has not been completed.
In a statement, the Superintendency of Public Works of the State of Ceará claims that the situation is underway because the city hall is working on hiring a crane to transport the cladding pieces to the top of Serrote do Cágado. The lifting is scheduled for early December.
The Head That Became Literature
The loose head, separated from the body, inspired the book “The Head of the Saint” by Socorro Acioli. The title sold over 200,000 copies in Brazil.
The object, therefore, has ceased to be just part of an unfinished work. It has become a cultural reference.
The Size Of The Statue And The Religious Complex
When completed, the statue will be 43 meters tall. There will be 36 meters of the saint and an additional 7 meters of pedestal.
This means that the monument will be larger than the Christ the Redeemer complex in Rio de Janeiro, which is a total of 38 meters.
The project is not limited to the statue, as it includes a religious complex with a museum, lookout point, chapel, commercial areas, stairways, ramps, and parking.
According to former mayor Júnior Tavares, the goal is to strengthen religious tourism in the city, as the location has strong symbolism for the region’s faithful.
The Challenge Of Location
The chosen point is Serrote do Cágado, the highest area of the city, where the ascent is long and steep. Access is one of the main causes of the delay.
According to Tavares, the route of almost a kilometer makes the transportation of materials difficult and explains part of the setbacks. He claims that the delivery of the works as a whole should take place in the first half of 2026.
Religious Memories Preserved
For Father Felipe Calisto Martins, of the Matriz Church of Saint Anthony, the monument represents more than just a construction. It symbolizes the recognition of the traditional spirituality of the place.
He recalls that during Holy Week, many people would walk up Serrote do Cágado, doing penance and experiencing moments of community gathering.
These memories strengthen the symbolic meaning of the work and justify the desire to complete it, as there is an emotional value linked to the space.
The Artist Who Started The Work
The sculptor Franzé D’Aurora, 73 years old, was responsible for starting the project. He was invited by then-mayor Raul Linhares after creating another image of Saint Anthony installed on BR-020.
Two years after it began, in 1986, the construction was halted due to a lack of funds. Franzé then decided to produce the head with his own resources. He said he was seeking an artistic response to the moment.
According to him, the idea was to create something different that would draw attention. By making the head separate, he hoped to generate impact and inspire new interpretations. And he succeeded.
The Head That Became A Tourist Attraction
Over time, the isolated head began to attract locals and visitors. The work gained fame for its strangeness and its connection to the book by Socorro Acioli.
Professor and ceramist Annelise Montenegro says she always heard about the object and that many friends asked if she had visited the site yet.
During a project in the region, she decided to see the piece. She described the experience as “very curious” and believes the location has become a tourist spot.
Stories That Awaken Interest
Advertising student Maria Eduarda Rocha learned the story during a visit to Canindé. Interest grew after reading the book. On another trip to the region, she decided to visit Caridade to see the head up close.
These accounts show how the work, even incomplete, has become a local attraction, as it awakens curiosity and reinforces the city’s identity.
Plans For The Future
The city hall wants to turn the location into a museum. According to Tavares, the house where the head currently is has already been acquired.
With this, the municipality hopes to take advantage of the growing flow of visitors while the main statue awaits completion.
With information from Folha de São Paulo.
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