Massive Jesus Status Goes up in Peru’s Capital

Lima, Peru’s capital city, got a surprise recently when out-going president Alan García announced he would fulfill a lifelong dream of erecting a massive statue of Jesus Christ on a hill overlooking Lima. They got an even bigger surprise when the statue actually went up on June 16, about a week after García first publically mentioned the statue.

The statue is 121 feet (37 meters) tall and although it overlooks Lima, it is technically in Chorrillos, on the Morror Solar hill. The statue will be able to be lit up in 20 different colors, and will be able to be seen anywhere along the 12 miles of Lima’s coastline. Although the statue went up already, it will be officially inaugurated on June 29, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Pop Benedict XVI. It is also less than a month before García leaves office and is replaced by president elect Ollanta Humala.

Not everyone is pleased about the statue. García kept the project a secret, which has angered Lima’s mayor, who says the sight will ruins the views from Lima. Local design students in Lima are also upset, saying the design is a close replica of the Christ Redeemer status in Brazil. Also, although no tax payer funds went into the project (García even donated some of his own money to the project, reportedly 100,000 soles), it is estimated that the municipality of Chorrillos will have to spend 30,000 soles a year to maintain the statue.

The pieces of the statue were created in Brazil, and parts were donated by a Brazilian engineering. It was transported by boat to Lima and then reconstructed on top of the hill.

Although not everyone is happy with the new statue, it is sure to become a Lima tourist attraction. The base will include an internal passage way and a staircase, which means visitors may be able to enter the statue. It may also become an icon of Lima on postcards and images. A snapshot of the Lima’s new Christ statue, called “Christ of the Pacific” may become a must during Lima tour, or just in general during a Peru vacation. Of course, there are many other things to see during a trip to Peru. A typical tour of Lima includes a visit to the center historical district to see the cathedral, catacombs, and presidential palace. Most people also stroll along the coast in Miraflores, a popular district.

This article about Lima’s new statue was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less, specializing in Peru tours.

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