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In the Interior of Rio Grande do Sul, a Colossal Statue Was Built by a Small Town, Involving Handcrafted Engineering, Community Donations, and a Secret Viewpoint That Became a Tourist Spot Even Before the Official Inauguration, Attracting Thousands of Curious People and Faithful.
Encantado, a town of approximately 23,000 inhabitants in the Vale do Taquari (RS), gained national attention with the completion of the Cristo Protetor, a statue of 43.5 m (37.5 m of the sculpture + 6 m of pedestal), with arms outstretched extending 39 m — five meters taller than the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, which measures 38 m including its base.
Located on Morro das Antenas, 436 m above sea level — about 378 m above the city — the construction carries the name with the purpose of protecting, declaring faith, and promoting community unity.
It was inaugurated on April 6, 2025, but completed in April 2022, after nearly three years of continuous building, started in July 2019.
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Statue Project and Construction of Cristo Protetor
The original idea came from then-mayor Adroaldo Conzatti in 2019, with land donated by local families — Teleco Talini, Valdecir Cardoso, and Luiz Pedro Radaelli — for the construction.
Conzatti passed away in March 2021 before seeing the monument completed.
The project was under the responsibility of the Association of Friends of Christ (AACE), fully funded by donations from faithful, entrepreneurs, and residents.
It is estimated that about R$ 6.5 million was raised, without a cent of public funds.
Sculptors Genésio Gomes de Moura and his son Markus Moura — the latter being directly responsible — led the process of forming steel and reinforced concrete, erected in modules and joined in the final phase.
The work required intense engineering calculations, construction inspections, lifting plans, and ART from CREA-RS.
The estimated total weight is 1,712 tons.
The construction faced difficulties such as the pandemic, which halted work for six months in 2020, and environmental impacts such as the floods in 2023 throughout the region.
Heart-Shaped Viewpoint
Inside the statue, 33 meters off the ground, there is a heart-shaped viewpoint — referencing the age of Jesus at the time of his crucifixion — with access designed via elevator.
At the inauguration, however, it still had restrictions due to leaks.
The Cristo Protetor Complex occupies about 14,300 m² and includes:
- Glass chapel in honor of Santo Scalabrini.
- Fountain of the 12 Apostles.
- “Path of the Psalms” with plaques and waterfalls.
- Food court, souvenir shop, chapel, medical station, and ticket office.
- There is also the contemplative project “Garden of Welcoming,” still in its final phase.
Inauguration and Impact in Encantado
The official ceremony, held on April 6, 2025, featured a mass conducted by Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, sent by Pope Francis, and Archbishop Dom Jaime Spengler.
There was also a presentation by the Ópera Gaúcha, around 2,000 visitors, and live broadcasting by RBS TV.
The Pope’s presence was symbolic: in August 2023, a fragment of the statue’s palm was blessed by him at the Vatican.
Economically, the monument already has a significant effect.
Since its completion, religious tourism has gained momentum — with an increase in meals served, new restaurants along the highway on weekends, emergence of accommodations, and increase in municipal revenue.
Comparison with Christ the Redeemer
| Feature | Cristo Protetor (RS) | Christ the Redeemer (RJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Height | 43.5 m (37.5 + 6) | 38 m (30 + 8) |
| Wingspan | 39 m | 28 m |
| Weight | 1,712 t | ~1,145 t |
| Material | Steel and Reinforced Concrete | Reinforced Concrete + Soapstone |
| Base Location | 436 m in altitude | 709 m in altitude |
| Internal Access | Viewpoint + Elevator (Restricted) | Navigable Interior + Balconies |
While the Redeemer has been welcoming visitors since 1931, developed with reinforced concrete and finished in soapstone in Art Deco style, the Cristo Protetor is contemporary — born from modern engineering and community support.
Symbolic and Social Meaning for Encantado
For Encantado, the Cristo Protetor represents:
- Faith and Resilience: a symbol of recovery after human and material losses during the pandemic and floods.
- Social Cohesion: donations, volunteering, and participation mobilized the community, creating a collective identity.
- Economic Development: stimulates religious tourism, job creation, and new gastronomic and hotel routes.
Visitation to Cristo Protetor
The complex operates on weekends and holidays, from 9 AM to 5 PM.
On average, adults pay R$ 30, seniors and residents have half-price, and children up to 12 years old enter for free.
There are rules for visitors and photographers — prohibition of alcohol consumption, drone control (only on weekdays and with prior scheduling), in addition to guidelines to preserve the location.
A New Landmark Among the Largest Statues in the World
The Cristo Protetor stands out as the largest statue of Christ in Brazil and the third largest in the world, excluding bases in international contexts.
More than a monument, it is an emotional narrative — a union of faith, technique, and a community project that changed Encantado’s profile.
Would you include this city in your tourist itinerary through southern Brazil?
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