Mexico to Construct World's Largest 'Cristo' in Tamaulipas

Mexico will begin construction on the world’s largest Christ statue early next year in one of the nation’s most dangerous cities, Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas, the Mexican Archdiocese said this weekend.

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Measuring an incredible 77 meters high, double the height of Bolivia and Brazil’s Cristos, the statue will tower over the city, sending “a message of faith, love, hope, and peace.”

Arms wide open, the Christ of Peace will be designed by Mexican architect Fernando Romero who plans to build the statue atop of an expansive esplanade with the capacity of ten thousand people.

Pilgrims will be welcomed at the feet of Christ where a hostel, a convenience center, a variety of restaurants, and an arts market will be conveniently located. A church, a cable care, an amphitheater, souvenir shops, boutiques, and a spacious parking lot are also being incorporated into the design.

The brain-child of Mexican actor, producer, and Tamaulipas native, Jose Eduardo Verastegui, will be presented to the Pope in the near future, Verastegui said.

Secretary of Tourism in Tamaulipas Fernando Olivera Rocha, confirmed the location earlier this month, saying the impressive structure would “embrace” Victoria City, a town which tops charts as one of Mexico’s top ten most dangerous.

In 2017, the Tamaulipas region showed a sharp increase in crime , with the year’s homicide rate doubling to 174,000.