Overview
Among the famous projects associated with the bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence, Torres Bicentennial Museum introduced a fortnight ago can be quite representative and widely known. However, there was Christ of Chiapas, another public project meant to catch up with the great celebration but missed the deadline. This week we will delve into the world of stainless steel through the case of Christ of Chiapas in Mexico.
Christ of Chiapas
Christ of Chiapas, officially known as Glorioso Cristo de Chiapas, is a huge and spectacular monument built on top of the Mactumaczá hill in the town of Copoya from the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico. For this, the local people also give it the name of "Cristo de Copoya".
Christ of Chiapas boasts the largest statue of Christ in Latin America, even surpassing the world famous statue “Christ the Redeemer” (38m) in Brazil. The structure alone is 48 meters high, 34 meters wide from arm to arm (Everything Explained Today 2009-2025). Adding the base, the entirety of the monument can achieve as high as 62.3 meters at maximum. Due to the magnificent dimensions, the statue can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
The monument consists of a cross and a base building. Specifically, the upper crucifix features a hollow figure of Jesus Christ crucified in the center. The silhouette is outlined in gold color to deliver the concept of “Christ of Light” (ISSF 2025). The base below is a two-story pyramid like building functioning as a Catholic temple with several rooms not yet finished on its first floor (Xraleman 2015). The cross alone weighs 180 tons, but the base building weighs almost 10 times more, around 2000 tons (IMINOX 2018).
Background Information of Christ of Chiapas
The vision for Christ of Chiapas was to shape the city image and boost local economy through tourism. The project was supported by Juan Sabines Guerrero, the governor of Chiapas and led by María Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, his wife and also the head of the project’s main team.
However, the construction of Christ of Chiapas proved to be a tough journey. As early as 29 April 2007, the first stone for the cross was placed and the construction of the base also commenced as early in September that year. It was not until 6 December 2011 that the cross was eventually opened to the public. Due to several rounds of delays, the project even missed the deadline of September 16, 2010, the important date for Mexico's 200th birthday celebration as promised.
Lack of fund was the major contributor to the delays. The funds were mainly secured from donations from local church members and business people. Commercial activities such as selling T-shirts and hats, and even special spots in a crypt (an underground room for burials) were launched to gain revenues. It was estimated to cost around Mex$60 million, but in the end it wound up with Mex$90 million. This was just for the first phase, not covering the whole plan. There would be the second phase to complete the whole tourism experience, such as a lobby, a restaurant, a museum, classrooms, and gardens (Kiddle.co 2025).
The Design of Christ of Chiapas
Christ of Chiapas of was designed by the Mexican architect Arq. Jaime Latapí López. He himself, as claimed on his own, is a "Catholic architect". The Christian principles and values at the service of the sick and needy are ingrained in his professional life to developing projects aimed for health and social welfare (SIAME 2024).
Christ of Chiapas goes beyond a monument, it also serves the symbol of the city, the imposing testimony of their people’s faith and perseverance. "The sculpture is a longing and request of the people of Copoya and the Chiapanecos, they feel cared for and loved by a Jesus, who watches over and blesses them day and night not only the inhabitants of that region, but all Mexicans," said the architect Latapí.
Stainless Steel Applied to Christ of Chiapas
Christ of Chiapas features a three-dimensional cross with an opened silhouette of Christ in the middle of it. This 48-meter tall cross is modernized with polished stainless steel outer skin, except with the figure of Jesus Christ which is decorated with golden stainless steel to highlight the silhouette.
According to ISSF (2025), 46 tons of 304 stainless steel were supplied by Outokumpu Mexinox. Stainless steel materials add a tint of timeless into the structure and render minimum maintenance work thereafter. The reflective finish of stainless steel can reflect the sun, the shades and colors of the atmosphere that change with time and season in a dynamic way.
Stainless Steel from CIVMATS China
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