By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter – August 20, 2016

Christ the Redeemer during sunrise in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2, 2016.

As the 2016 Summer Olympics come to a close this weekend, viewers will have a few more opportunities to see aerial images of the massive representation of Jesus Christ that overlooks Rio de Janeiro. But how did the 98 feet tall, 635 metric ton Christ the Redeemer statue come about?

Here are five fascinating facts you should know about Brazil’s Cristo Redentor statue.

1. It’s listed as one of the “new seven wonders of the world,” and its roots trace back to the 1850s.

Christ the Redeemer stands with outstretched arms atop a mountain as if to physically embrace Brazil’s second-most populous city. The monument has become a global symbol of the Christian faith and attracts millions of visitors every year.

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