Christ of the Abyss – Tigullio’s treasures
✅ Before starting the reading, below, we put some really interesting things about the Tigullio Gulf. Take a look! 😉
- San Michele di Pagana: what to see?
- Tigullio: 5 Things you can’t miss!
- Rapallo Castle, the symbol of the city, by the sea
- Tigullio: 10 (and more) reason for a Winter visit
- Tigullio: 5 curious things you need to know!
- Chiavari: what to see? Full Tutorial
- Moneglia: 5 things you must (absolutely) see
- Love in Portofino: the very original song
- Portofino song: the TOP 5
- Why Focaccia is called Focaccia?
- Framura: what to see?
The Christ of the Abyss is the main attraction in San Fruttuoso di Camogli.
This statue can be seen just before the beach at a depth of approximately 55 feet below the water surface.
Here we will share with you some information about the very famous Cristo degli Abissi (in Italian) a bronze work of art by Guido Galletti, which is considered a real destination for under and above-water pilgrimage.
It is one of the treasures in the Portofino Marine Reserve, the authority preserving the waters and the seabed before the Portofino Regional Natural Park.
Take also a look at: 5 things to see in Camogli
Where did this idea come from?
The idea of this marine sanctuary came from Duilio Marcante who is considered the father of the Italian Underwater Diving Education.
Marcante was struck by the death of his colleague and friend Dario Gonzatti, during a dive with an oxygen re-breather in 1947 and proposed to create a statue in his honor. 🎖
The Christ of the Abyss crafted by Galletti has his arms reaching up to the sky, or better the water surface.
Not only is he merciful, but also majestic: His figure is approximately eight and a half feet tall.
Take also a look at: Punta Chiappa, such a wonderful place!
Bells, medals, and even propellers were some of the objects fused providing the materials to create the bronze alloy which the statue is made of.
The Christ of the Abyss: Dates
- The statue was placed on the bay seabed by the Italian Navy on the 29th of August 1954.
- After being mutilated by an anchor and repeated calls for its state of conservation, the statue was taken back on the dry land, to undergo restoration in 2003.
- After one year in 2004, it was returned to its proper place on the seabed of San Fruttuoso Bay, after being completely restored.
Take also a look at: Portofino, 5 places you must see!
Christ of the Abyss: How to see it
It is possible to admire the Christ of the Abyss during a 🥽 diving guided visit or by going with the local fishermen.
They can show you the statue from their boats, through a device to spot octopuses underneath
the surface.
Otherwise, a copy of the statue is on display in the right aisle of San Fruttuoso Abbey.
The fame and beauty of this work of art are such, that other examples were created after it. One in the Palù Lake (Val Malenco, Lombardy) and on the quay of St. George’s Port on Grenada’s Island (Caribbean Sea).
Take also a look at: From Recco to Camogli, the complete path
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