- Location: Paso de Uspallata, Mendoza
- Year of construction: 1904.
- Height: 13 m
- Weight: 4 t
In world history, it is rare when a territorial conflict was resolved peacefully, but Argentina and Chile in this regard have shown a worthy example. The indigenous population of Latin America has always been extremely emotional, while at the same time professing a righteous life. And so this misunderstanding between the two states threatened war, but the mind and moral framework took up. The result was a statue of the Andean Christ, which to this day stands as a frontier mark, dividing the territory of the two powers.
Details of the monument
The monument to Christ the Redeemer, the same Andean Christ, at one time marked the end of the turmoil and unrest for two peoples ready to enter the warpath. The statue was created under the direct instruction of Bishop Cuyo Marcelino del Carmen Benavente, and Mateo Alonso was the sculptor. For some time she was at an exhibition in the courtyard of the school Lacoder in Buenos Aires . After the conclusion of an amicable agreement between Chile and Argentina, the monument of Christ the Redeemer was erected on the border of two states in March 1904, as a symbol of peace and mutual understanding.
And the Christ of Christ in height reaches 13 m. The sculpture itself has an increase of about 7 m, and rises on a 6-meter pedestal. The weight of the monument reaches 4 tons. The figure of Christ is specially set so that it looks like a border line. Nearby you can see several plaques. One of them was established in 1937, and quotes the words of Bishop Ramon Angel Haro, who only strengthened the friendship between the two states: "These mountains will soon be destroyed, than the Argentines and Chileans will violate the world sworn at the feet of Christ the Redeemer."
Modernity
Today, the monument of Christ the Redeemer attracts both tourists and pilgrims. Each of them seeks to touch the monument, sincerely believing that the statue grants soulful pacification and strength to resolve any conflicts or misunderstandings.
The Bermejo Pass , where the monument is erected, is located at an altitude of 3854 m. At the foot of the mountains for the comfort of tourists there are several hostels and a store with necessary equipment that can become useful when climbing to the statue.
Since the monument is in the mountains, it was often subjected to destructive effects of the elements. However, the monument was carefully restored several times, and in 2004 it successfully celebrated its first century. In honor of this event, the heads of Argentina and Chile met at the foot of the Andean Christ and exchanged a symbolic handshake, giving even greater significance, albeit symbolic, to this monument.
How to get to the monument of Christ the Redeemer?
Andean Christ is located in the province of Mendoza, near the town of the same name. Although the monument rises on the pass, but it can be reached by a rented car along the RN7 highway and a dirt road. It takes about 4 hours from the city of Mendoza . In addition, at the foot there is a bus stop Las Cuevas, from which twice a day buses run number 401.