Cristo de Chiapas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glorioso Cristo de Chiapas |
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View of Glorioso Cristo de Chiapas
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Christianity |
| Location | |
| Location | Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Jaime Latapí López |
| Architectural type | Monumental cross |
| Groundbreaking | 29 April 2007 |
| Completed | 6 December 2011 |
| Specifications | |
| Width | 34 metres (112 ft) |
| Height (max) | 62.3 metres (204 ft) |
| Materials | Steel and concrete |
The Glorioso Cristo de Chiapas (which means Glorious Christ of Chiapas) is a giant cross in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is also known as the Cristo de Copoya. This amazing structure stands 62-metre (203 ft) tall. Inside the cross, you can see a profile of Jesus Christ. A Mexican architect named Jaime Latapí López designed it. Building the Cristo de Chiapas started in 2007 and was finished in December 2011.
Contents
History of the Glorious Christ of Chiapas
The governor of Chiapas, Juan Sabines Guerrero, was a big supporter of this project. He believed it would attract many tourists to Tuxtla Gutiérrez. He also saw it as a special "symbol of the city." His wife, María Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, was the first leader of the project's main team.
How the Project Was Funded
Money for the project came from donations. Local church members and business people gave money. The project's team also sold things like t-shirts and hats. They even sold special spots in a crypt (an underground room for burials) to raise funds. Donation jars were placed in stores and businesses around the city. The project was first expected to cost about 60 million Mexican pesos.
Construction Begins
The first stone for the cross was placed on April 29, 2007. Governor Sabines and Rogelio Cabrera López, who was the archbishop of Tuxtla, were at the ceremony. Building the base of the cross started in September 2007.
Overcoming Delays
The project faced many delays from the start. Often, there wasn't enough money to keep building. In 2009, the project's treasurer, Felipe de Jesús Granda Pastrana, promised it would be done by September 16, 2010. This date was important for Mexico's 200th birthday celebration. However, they missed that deadline. In July 2011, Granda announced that they had received 3 million more Mexican pesos. He said the first part of the construction would be finished by September 2011.
Inauguration and Future Plans
The cross was finally opened to the public on December 6, 2011. The first part of the project, which included the cross and a small chapel, cost a total of 90 million Mexican pesos. There are plans for a second stage of building. This would add more things for visitors, like a lobby, a restaurant, a museum, classrooms, and gardens. New roads would also be built to reach the site.
In 2015, Pope Francis visited Mexico and blessed the statue.
Architecture and Design
The Cristo de Chiapas is built on a hill. This hill is located southwest of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital city of Chiapas. The structure is made from strong stainless steel and concrete. It also includes a chapel beneath the cross. This chapel is used for Catholic religious services. Mexican architect Jaime Latapí López created the design for this impressive cross.
Size and Scale
At 62 metres (203 ft) tall, the Cristo de Chiapas is the largest cross in all of Mexico. It is even 32 metres (105 ft) taller than the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If you measure it from arm to arm, the structure is 34 metres (112 ft) wide. The entire cross weighs 180 tonnes.
See also
In Spanish: Cristo de Chiapas para niños
