Video screenshot via Prefecture of Encantado
Watching over the city of Encantado is Christ the Protector, an enormous statue of Jesus Christ that is being built by the Brazilian municipality.
At 140 feet tall, the monument will tower over Rio de Janeiro’s 120-foot
Christ the Redeemer. As reported by
Agence France-Presse, the project expects a budget of two million reals (US$350,000), an amount being entirely funded through donations.
Work for the statue began in 2019, and the figure’s head as well as outstretched arms—measuring 36 meters (118 feet) from hand to hand—were just added last week. Its construction had been proposed and overseen by politician Adroaldo Conzatti, who died in March due to COVID-19 complications. Father and son sculptors Genesio and Markus Moura helmed the work.
Christ the Protector will be installed with an interior elevator and even an observation deck.
It is being erected to inspire faith and up tourism numbers, according to its promoters.
[via
France24, images via various sources]