Renovation for iconic Rio statue

Photo / AP

The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms that overlooks Rio de Janeiro is getting a US$4 million ($5.7 million) renovation. Heavy rains have eroded portions of the face and hands of the statue.

It has also been damaged by lightning strikes over the years. Workers this week started replacing large pieces of the statue's soapstone exterior and patching up a layer of concrete under that. They expect to finish by June. The Rio archdiocese that manages the statue says donations will pay for the repairs.

Perched atop a mountain above Rio's white-sand beaches, the 38m statue was inaugurated in 1931. It was designed by local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski.