The Democratic Republic of East Timor was proclaimed only on May 20, 2002. But in the last 30 years before this significant event, there was a relentless struggle for independence on its territory. On December 7, 1975, Indonesian troops landed in East Timor, and in July 1976, it was formally integrated into Indonesia as a province.

Aggression and violence outbreaks, armed clashes on the streets and riots are left behind, and thousands of foreign tourists visit it at present. A farewell present from Indonesia was one of the main landmarks of the new country, and the reason for the Christian pilgrimage to its largest city of Dili. It is an enormous statue of Christ the Savior (Cristo Rei).

A giant monument called Cristo Rei of Dili sits atop the famous Fatukama Cape with a fantastic view of the endless ocean towards Jakarta, on one side, and the capital of East Timor, on the other. To get to this wonderful picturesque place, you should make a small but rather steep ascent of the mountain more than 500 steps long.

The magnificent sculpture is a 27-meter-high figure of Christ, standing on top of a huge 17-meter globe. The size choice of the impressive monument was not accidental and refers to certain events in state history. East Timor was the 27th province of Indonesia, and Indonesia celebrates Independence Day on August 17. The choice of material was no less symbolic. It consists of 27 separate copper sections assembled and brought to Dili from each Indonesian province. Its creation took about a year of continuous work and more than three months to install before the beautiful statue of Christ with a ten-meter cross was erected on the top.

The grand opening took place in 1996 with the participation of the Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Belo, the President of Indonesia Suharto and Governor of East Timor Jose Soares.

The famous Cristo Rei of Dili is one of the ten tallest Christ statues in the world.

Initially, the statue of Christ the Savior was conceived as a gift for the 20th anniversary of the integration of East Timor into Indonesia. But at that time, the state did not have enough funds for the construction and postponed the grandiose project. Subsequently, a welcome gift for the province turned out to be a farewell one. Six years after the erection, East Timor separated from Indonesia, becoming the first new state formed in the 21st century.