The statue of Christ was first conceived in 1921. The project took almost five years to be completed. It is carved out of "soap stone", a material that is resistant to time, weather changes, and cracking and deformation, even though it is so soft that even a finger nail may scratch it. Components were carried up the mountain using the Corcovado Railroad, and joined together up on the hill. The statue of Christ the Redeemer pays homage to Rio’s religiosity, and has become a symbol of the City and of its people, receiving all visitors with its arms open. The height of the monument is 38 metres and the distance between the fingertips is 30 metres.