Cristo Rey (Colombian statue) facts for kids
Monument to Cristo Rey (Christ the King)
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| Coordinates | 3°26′11.02″N 76°33′54.42″W / 3.4363944°N 76.5651167°W |
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| Location | Cali, Colombia |
| Designer | Alideo Tazzioli Fontanini |
| Height | 26 meters |
| Beginning date | 1950 |
Cristo Rey (which means "Christ the King" in English) is a huge statue. It stands 26 meters (about 85 feet) tall. You can find it on the Cerro de los Cristales, or "Hill of the Crystals." This hill is located west of the city of Cali in Colombia. The hill got its name because people used to find lots of quartz crystals there.
The statue was officially opened on October 25, 1953. It was built to celebrate 50 years after a big conflict called the War of a Thousand Days ended. The statue is made from strong materials like iron and concrete. It weighs a massive 464 tons! The statue itself is 26 meters tall, and 5 meters of that height is its base.
Building the Statue: A Brief History
A priest named José María Arteaga wanted this statue to be built. He asked an artist from Palmira, Gerardo Navia Carvajal, to create it. However, the artist only made a small model of the statue. He then left the project before finishing the full-sized sculpture.
Visiting Cristo Rey: Art and Views
As you go up the hill to Cristo Rey, you'll see amazing artwork. An artist named Carlos Andrés Gómez spent two years creating sculptures. He carved his art into 34 ravines, which are like small canyons. This collection of art is known as the biblical scenes of Golgotha.
In the first ravine, he sculpted "Existence." This piece celebrates life and people. The second ravine features "Lament of the Pacha Mama." This artwork shows nature's sadness about harm caused by humans. The third ravine brings "Golgotha" to life. It helps people who visit during Easter feel connected to the story. Finally, the fourth ravine shows "The Garden of Eden."
These sculptures are made from cement and clay. They range in size from 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) to 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall. They stretch out over five kilometers (about 3 miles) along the path.
Visiting the Cristo Rey monument is free for everyone. It is open every day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. At the site, you can find a chapel, a restaurant, and parking. Many other helpful features are also available for visitors.
Many people visit this impressive sculpture each year. About 290,650 local and international tourists come to see it. Cristo Rey is considered one of the modern wonders of Colombia.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Cristo Rey (Cali) para niños
- List of statues of Jesus
- Christ the King (Almada) in Portugal
- Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
- Cristo Rey in Mexico
- Cristo de la Concordia in Bolivia
- Cristo de las Noas in Mexico
- Christ of Havana
