Cristo Rei

크리스투 헤이

The Sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei) is a Catholic monument in Almada, Portugal, on a hill across the Tagus River from Lisbon. It shows Christ with open arms, looking out over the city. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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At a glance

Country: Portugal
Location: Almada, Portugal
Built: 1959
Height: 110 m
Type: Statue

Quick answers

Where is Cristo Rei?

Cristo Rei is in Almada, Portugal.

When was Cristo Rei built?

Cristo Rei was built in 1959.

How tall is Cristo Rei?

Cristo Rei is about 110 m tall.

A Christ statue with open arms facing Lisbon across the Tagus, inspired by Rio's Christ the Redeemer.

It was inaugurated on 17 May 1959. According to the card, the statue is 28 metres tall and about 110 metres in total with its high pedestal. It was built as a thank-you for Portugal being spared the direct damage of the Second World War. Its full name is the Sanctuary of Christ the King, and it is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Why was it built?

The idea started in 1934, when the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited Rio de Janeiro soon after Christ the Redeemer was unveiled there in 1931. In 1940, Portuguese bishops meeting in Fatima approved the monument as a prayer to keep Portugal out of the Second World War, and to mark 50 years since the world was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Ten years of building

The land was bought in 1941, the cornerstone was laid in 1949, and construction took ten years. It was paid for with help from members of the Apostleship of Prayer. The final cost was about 20 million escudos. Later additions include the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace in 1984, and cleaning and restoring work by the diocese and city in the 1999 to 2001 period.