WORLD FAMOUS CARNIVAL: Even under normal circumstances, Rio is a vibrant, exciting city… During Carnival, however, it is something else again. Taking place over the week prior to the beginning of Lent, the world-famous Carnival features colorful parades, parties, and a host of open-air performances. Each year millions of Brazilians and tourists from around the world observe/participate in this extraordinary happening. The center of attraction is the 90,000 seat Sambadrome, where spectators watch a procession of samba schools parading before judges. Each group passes-by to the sound of distinctive Brazilian samba and drumming, dressed in colorful costumes on immense floats, all based upon different themes (pictured). Each night the spectacle goes on until dawn and into the next morning. In addition to the parades in the Sambadrome, there are many free blocos, which occur throughout the day in the streets of the city. Needless to say, this makes traveling in Rio exceedingly difficult, as one never quite knows where or when one of these impromptu blocos may pop up, bringing vehicular traffic to a screeching halt.
Fortunately, as part of a package with Silversea, passengers were booked into the Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro for several nights prior to embarking on our cruise. The hotel itself was rather generic, but it was located in a quiet, upscale neighborhood a safe distance from the madding crowds, for which we were extremely thankful. In addition, our guides were quite familiar with the exigencies of Carnival, and thus were able to maximize our enjoyment of the sights while minimizing any possible discomfort (pictured: the famous Copacabana Beach).
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN: Pão de Açúcar – Sugarloaf Mountain – is a breathtaking peak at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 1,299 feet above the harbor, the peak is named for its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. The mountain is protected by the Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument, created in 2006. This, in turn, became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The name Sugarloaf first appeared in the 16th century via the Portuguese, when blocks of sugar were placed in clay conical molds in order to be transported on ships. The form of the mountain peak reminded them of the resulting “sugarloaf” shape; and the nickname has since been extended to be a general descriptor for similar rock formations.
The Sugarloaf Cable Car, envisioned by engineer Augusto Ferreira Ramos in 1908, was opened on October 27, 1912, the first section running from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca at an altitude of 722 feet; from there, the second section rises to the summit of 1,299 feet on Sugarloaf Mountain. The first cable cars were coated wood and were used for 60 years. In 1972, a second cable was added, as well as new cabins, expanding the capacity from 22 to 75 (eventually reduced to 65 to increase the comfort level).
In 1979, the cable car was one of the prominent settings for the James Bond film Moonraker, in which British secret agent James Bond (Roger Moore) battles his nemesis Jaws (Richard Kiel) in the middle of the tramway. During the filming, stuntman Richard Graydon slipped and narrowly avoided falling to his death. And for those who have actually viewed the movie, that interesting scene in which Jaws bites into the steel tramway cable with his teeth… the cable was actually made of licorice 😊.
CHRIST THE REDEEMER: Located at the summit of Mount Corcovado, this colossal statue of Jesus Christ – 98 feet tall, set on a square stone pedestal base 26 feet high, its horizontally outstretched arms spanning 92 feet – has become emblematic of both the city of Rio de Janeiro and the entire nation of Brazil. Constructed of reinforced concrete overlaid with a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, it is also the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world.
In 1921, the Romann Catholic archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro proposed that a statue of Christ be built on the 2,310-foot summit of Mount Corcovado, which, because of its height, would make it visible from anywhere in Rio. Citizens petitioned President Epitácio Pessoa to allow the construction. Permission was subsequently granted and the foundation stone of the base was ceremonially laid on April 4, 1922, although the monument’s final design had yet to be chosen.
A competition was held to find a designer, and Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa was chosen on the basis of his sketches depicting the figure of Christ holding a cross in his right hand and the world in his left. However, in collaboration with Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald, Silva Costa later amended his plan; and it was Oswald who has been credited with the idea of the figure standing with arms spread wide. French sculptor Paul Landowski, who collaborated with Silva Costa on the final design, has been credited as the primary designer of the figure’s head and hands. Funds were raised privately, principally by the church; and, under Silva Costa’s supervision, construction began in 1926 and continued for five years. Following its completion, the statue was formally dedicated on October 12, 1931.
During the ensuing years, of course, it has undergone periodic repairs and renovations. In 1980, for example, it underwent a thorough cleaning in preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul II; and in 2010, the entire statue was repaired and refurbished. However, if you are contemplating a visit, the most relevant renovation took place in 2002 when escalators and panoramic elevators were added to the facilities. Previously, in order to reach the statue itself, tourists had to climb more than 200 steps as the last stage of their pilgrimage. The escalators (pictured) improved this situation dramatically.
As you will note from the first photograph of the statue above, the weather – both cloudy & foggy with intermittent rain – was a good deal less than cooperative the day of our visit… But somehow this seemed infinitely more appropriate than bright sunlight, as the general gloominess only added to the mysteriously irresistible aura of the site. “Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans” (fearful and fascinating mystery) is how philosopher/theologian Rudolf Otto would have described the scene.
The only downside to this mysteriously irresistible dark & dreary aura was that the beautiful view of the city below was almost totally obscured. Which, of course, was a major letdown. However, this photograph should give readers some idea, not only of the utter grandeur of the view, but also of the grandeur & immensity of the statue itself. Regardless of your religious/spiritual preferences, a visit to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer is an incomparably illuminating experience.
Bon Appétit & Cheers!
TAD
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