- Address: border of Chile and Argentina;
- Height: 13 m;
- Materials: Bronze;
- It was erected on March 13, 1904.
Many countries have interesting facts from history, for example, Chile and Argentina fought fierce battles for the territory. Disagreements have been left in the past, a peace agreement was signed, but reminders remained of the old times. This is the Andean Christ or the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Erected on March 13, 1904 on the Bermejo pass in the Andes, he is a symbol of peace, the end of disputes about the line of the border between the two countries. The idea of creating such a monument was given by the Roman Pope Leo XIII, who zealously urged Argentina and Chile not to start military operations, but to settle the conflict peacefully.
History of creation
The request of the pontiff was also supported by the bishop of the local region of Cuyo Marcelino del Carmen Benavente, who publicly announced his intention to build a monument to Christ the Redeemer, but only if the differences between the two countries were forgotten.
Sculptor Mateo Alonso created a statue 7 meters high, which was first installed in the patio of the school Lacordera, Buenos Aires (Argentina). She would have stayed there if the delegation of the Association of Christian Mothers had not arrived to school. The president was Angela de Oliveira Cesar de Costa, whose brother was preparing for an inevitable military conflict. To avoid this, Angela drew the attention of the President of Argentina, whom she knew, to the project.
In her opinion, the sculpture should be located on the border of the two countries after the signing of the peace agreement. Thus, through joint efforts of the church and public figures, it was possible to convince both countries to reach a peaceful consensus.
Symbol of Peace and Union of Nations
As soon as the agreement was signed in May 1902, the collection of money for transporting the monument to the province of Mendoza began. Angela before Ouveira advocated that the sculpture was installed on the path along which General San Martin led the liberation army to the border. The statue was transported only in 1904. First, the bronze parts were delivered by train to the Argentine village of Las Cuevas, and then the mules raised them to a height of 3854 m above sea level.
For the sculpture of Christ the Redeemer, a pedestal was specially designed, the author of which was Molina Sivita, and his assembly was supervised by engineer Conti. In the process of work involved about a hundred workers. The assembly of the statue itself was conducted under the strict guidance of the author Mateo Alonso. The monument was specially set so that it looked along the border. In one hand, Jesus the Redeemer holds the cross, and the other is stretched forth, as if blessing.
Awesome reverence
Given that the height of one pedestal is 4 m, the monument makes a special impression. The opening of the monument was attended by 3,000 Chileans, the armies of both countries, which they recently planned to fight with each other. Ceremonial event was attended by both the clergy and foreign ministers of Chile and Argentina.
At the ceremony, commemorative plaques were opened from each country. The one that gave Argentina, is made in the form of an open book, in which the woman is depicted. In subsequent years, the monument was constantly checked for strength.
Severe weather, seismic activity repeatedly inflicted damage on the statue, but the masters returned her former beauty. Thanks to this dedication to the idea of maintaining peace, in 2004 the presidents of Argentina and Chile met to celebrate the centenary of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
How to get to the monument?
Although the monument of the Andean Christ is established in Chile in a desert area, everyone who came to the country aspires to see it. From Santiago to the Argentine city of Mendoza buses are sent every day, so tourists can easily visit the monument. You just need to choose a bus company from a huge variety. The journey time is 6-7 hours, the ticket price is quite affordable.
If you want, you can get to the city by plane, only it will be more expensive, and you will not be able to enjoy the landscape landscape. The only inconvenience with which we have to put up is crossing the border. To get to the monument of Jesus the Redeemer, you only need to buy a tour. This can be done in Argentina and Chile. Each traveler chooses what is beneficial to him.