Statue of Christ in Madeira
The Madeira Christ Statue is one of the most famous landmarks in Portugal. It is made in the Art Deco style; tourists call it an analogue of the statue of Christ the Savior in Brazil. However, the Portuguese do not like this comparison because the statue was built and consecrated in the country in 1927, which is earlier than the Brazilian statue.
Description of the statue of Christ in Madeira
The statue is quite tall - its height is 14 meters, and it is located in the local Garajau nature reserve. Many people call it a junior "copy" of similar statues in Brazil and Lisbon, since these statues are very similar not only in their size, but also in their design style. However, this is a fairly common misconception, since the statue in Lisbon, indeed, was erected due to the fact that the Lisbonians were inspired by the statue in Brazil, but the statue of Christ in Madeira had a different fate, it was erected several years before the construction of the statue in Brazil. So the question is “who was inspired first?” remains open.
Features of the statue of Christ in Madeira
The place where the statue was erected is no coincidence; according to local legends, the first sailors who discovered the island, who were Catholics, landed at this place. In honor of the successful “find,” they decided to erect a wooden cross at this place, which was later replaced by this statue. The area around the statue of Christ in Madeira became a gathering place for people, as an observation deck was equipped here, offering beautiful views of the local landscapes, and benches and flower beds were planted here for the convenience of tourists.
A couple of words should be said about the surrounding areas - going down the observation deck, you can find yourself on a picturesque cape, from where the views seem even more beautiful and rich. There is also a beach nearby, which can be reached on foot or by car. Locals advise visiting the statue of Christ in Madeira early in the morning, as it is at this time that you can find residents laying flowers at the feet of Christ and lighting candles, this is a local tradition of the island, and also at this time you can meet fishermen and buy fresh fish from them .
