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Christ Blessing

Christ Blessing (Indonesian: Yesus Memberkati or Patung Yesus Berkat) is a statue of Jesus Christ located in , , . Standing 50 metres (160 ft) tall—including a 20-metre (66 ft) pedestal and a 30-metre (98 ft) figure—the monument depicts Christ with arms outstretched in a of , facing the provincial governor's . Constructed primarily from , 25 tonnes of metal fibre, and 35 tonnes of , it was completed in 2010 at a cost of approximately five billion rupiah (US$540,000 as of 2010) and inaugurated on 3 May 2017 by Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang. Commissioned by property developer , the statue serves as a Christian symbol for the predominantly Christian population of and a major tourist attraction offering panoramic city views.

Description

Physical Features

The Christ Blessing statue consists of a 30-meter-tall figure of Jesus Christ elevated on a 20-meter , achieving a total height of 50 meters. This makes it one of the tallest depictions of Jesus in the world and Asia's second tallest as of its completion. The structure employs 25 tonnes of metal fiber for the exterior cladding, supported by a robust 35-tonne internal framework, yielding an approximate total weight of 60 tonnes. This combination ensures durability while allowing for the statue's distinctive aesthetic form. Christ is portrayed in a dynamic, forward-leaning pose with both arms outstretched in a gesture of , evoking a sense of motion often likened to "flying" due to its wind-resistant inclination of about 20 degrees and aerodynamic . The right hand is raised in the traditional Catholic gesture, with the thumb, index, and middle fingers extended to represent the Holy Trinity, and the ring and little fingers folded to signify Christ's dual divine and human natures. The overall design emphasizes openness and elevation, harmonizing with the elevated terrain of the Citraland estate. Engineered for stability on the sloped hillside, the is firmly anchored to the rocky foundation to counter regional winds and seismic risks common in . Internal illumination systems enable prominent night-time visibility, illuminating the figure against the cityscape below.

Location and Accessibility

The , known locally as Yesus Memberkati, is situated at the of the Citraland Winangun residential estate in , , , at approximately 1°26′17″N 124°50′52″E. This position places it on a prominent hillside overlooking the city of and directly facing the office of the governor, a deliberate orientation symbolizing blessing over local leadership. The site forms part of a developed by the Group, integrating the monument into an upscale residential landscape. Perched on this elevated terrain, the statue offers panoramic vistas of Manado Bay, including nearby islands like Manado Tua and , as well as the distant profile of Mount Lokon, enhancing its scenic appeal within the tropical surroundings. The hillside location contributes to the statue's dynamic appearance, often described as "flying" due to its forward-leaning pose against the backdrop of lush greenery and coastal waters. Access to the statue is primarily by private vehicle via winding roads from Manado's city center, a drive of about 15-20 minutes covering roughly 10-15 kilometers. Non-residents may encounter a nominal entry fee of IDR 10,000 to 20,000 for access to viewing areas within the gated estate, though the site is generally open daily from dawn to dusk without strict ticketing. Parking is available at the base of the hill, with optional guided tours or shuttle services offered by local operators for convenience. Infrastructure includes dedicated viewing platforms and photo spots along maintenance paths, but the pedestal lacks an , requiring visitors to ascend for closer inspections.

History

Planning and Development

The Christ Blessing statue, known locally as Yesus Memberkati, was conceived in the mid-2000s by tycoon Ir. , founder of the Ciputra Group, as a landmark for the Citraland development in , , intended to symbolize faith and community prosperity. The project was fully financed by the Ciputra Group as part of its initiatives, with a total cost of approximately 5 billion , equivalent to about $350,000–$540,000 USD based on exchange rates at the time. Design efforts drew conceptual sketches from traditional Christian depicting Christ in a gesture of , with collaboration involving local stakeholders such as Antonius Tanan, Siadari, Harun Hajadi, and Denny Bernadus; engineers and sculptors were selected from for their expertise in large-scale sculptures, and no international architects were involved. The statue was purposed to serve North Sulawesi's predominantly Christian population—comprising about 63% of the province's residents—as a site for reflection and to invoke divine , aligning with Ciputra's vision of gratitude and spiritual upliftment for the community.

Construction Process

The construction of the Christ Blessing statue began following the planning phase in the mid-2000s under funding from the Ciputra Group and spanned nearly three years, addressing the project's scale and location on a challenging hillside in . The foundation was established on the uneven terrain, followed by the erection of the internal framework, which formed the statue's core structure. The outer cladding phase completed the exterior, utilizing fiber-reinforced materials for durability. The engineering effort was led by specialists from , who employed modular steel assembly techniques tailored to the site's sloped conditions, incorporating processes such as for structural joints, application of protective fiber layers, and real-time on-site adjustments to account for wind loads. This approach allowed for efficient piece-by-piece , minimizing risks associated with the elevated . Significant challenges arose from the site's steep hillside, necessitating custom anchoring systems to secure the against slippage and seismic activity. Material posed additional logistical hurdles due to inaccessible paths, while the entire project adhered to building codes for monuments exceeding 40 meters in height, including reinforcements for wind and structural stability. Completion was marked by final inspections in 2007, which included rigorous testing of the statue's structural integrity to withstand tropical storms and earthquakes prevalent in , confirming its resilience before full operational readiness.

Inauguration and Early Reception

The Christ Blessing statue was inaugurated on December 2, 2007, by then-Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang of . The ceremony featured a Christian blessing service led by Bishop Josephus Suwatan of and Reverend Father John Rotty of the local Protestant church, along with speeches emphasizing religious unity among the diverse community. Approximately 3,000 locals attended the event, including community leaders and representatives from the Ciputra Group, the developers who initiated the project; local media provided coverage of the proceedings. Early reception was overwhelmingly positive, generating media buzz for the statue as Asia's tallest Christ monument at the time and the "world's first flying " owing to its distinctive upward-leaning pose. Minor discussions emerged regarding its contemporary design in contrast to more conventional Christ depictions, though no significant controversies arose. The statue rapidly became integrated into local religious and community events, experiencing initial visitor surges during Easter celebrations in the following year.

Significance

Religious and Symbolic Role

The Christ Blessing statue, known locally as Yesus Memberkati or "Jesus Who Blesses," embodies the theological motif of Christ as the divine source of benediction, drawing from Christian traditions where Jesus extends peace and grace to humanity. This depiction aligns with biblical imagery of blessing, such as the priestly invocation in Numbers 6:24-26 and Jesus' assurance of peace in John 14:27, portraying the figure's pose as a symbol of divine grace, protection, and salvation for the surrounding community. In the predominantly Christian region of North Sulawesi, where approximately 65% of the population adheres to Christianity (Protestant or Catholic faiths), the statue serves as a central focal point for prayer and pilgrimage, offering a site for spiritual reflection and communal devotion. It has become integrated into local religious life, including annual gatherings that reinforce faith among youth and participants in broader Christian events. The statue's symbolic elements further emphasize its spiritual depth: the outstretched arms evoke an embrace of the faithful and a gesture of ascent toward , interpreted through its dynamic "flying" stance that signifies elevation and . Positioned atop a hill overlooking , it appears to extend its blessing directly to the city below, resonating deeply with the indigenous Minahasan Christian identity, where such monuments affirm a heritage of faith amid historical conversions and cultural resilience. This alignment underscores the statue's role in bolstering communal bonds in a province marked by strong evangelical traditions. While primarily oriented toward , the Christ Blessing statue contributes to the broader context of religious diversity in , in , a city known for interfaith relations.

Cultural and Touristic Impact

The Christ Blessing statue, known locally as Yesus Memberkati, has integrated deeply into Manado's cultural fabric as a symbol of the city's Christian heritage and identity. Erected in a region where predominates, it serves as a focal point for community pride and spiritual expression, enriching North Sulawesi's cultural tapestry through its representation of and . Local residents often reference it in discussions of regional landmarks, and it inspires educational curricula in schools highlighting Manado's notable sites. As a major touristic draw, the statue attracts numerous visitors seeking its panoramic views of and the surrounding landscape, particularly at sunrise and sunset. It contributes to its status among Indonesia's prominent religious attractions alongside sites like for spiritual tourism. Post-pandemic recovery has seen renewed interest, aligned with North Sulawesi's broader tourism rebound, including increased international flights and a 38.84% rise in arrivals by early 2022; by December 2023, foreign tourist arrivals via Airport reached 3,917. It boosts nearby businesses in the Citraland area, such as eateries and transport services, while offering free access to the base for casual viewing, though optional guided tours enhance the experience. Economically, the statue supports local revenue through related activities like photography spots and merchandise sales, fostering growth in the surrounding residential development. Its presence has elevated property values in Citraland by associating the area with a high-profile landmark, similar to how Rio de Janeiro's has spurred inspirational tourism and urban development. Overall, it contributes to North Sulawesi's tourism sector, which saw approximately 107,000 visitors to in 2018 alone. In media and global recognition, the statue has garnered international attention for its dynamic "flying" pose, earning the nickname "Flying Jesus" in outlets like Atlas Obscura and features in travel publications highlighting its scale as one of the tallest Jesus statues in . Travel blogs and sites such as Matador Network praise its unique and views, positioning it as a must-visit for those exploring Indonesia's religious monuments. As of November 2025, no major updates or damages have been reported, maintaining its role as an enduring draw.

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