Christ of the Abyss, Bronze statue in San Fruttuoso Bay, Italy
Christ of the Abyss is a bronze sculpture that rests on the seabed in San Fruttuoso Bay near Camogli. The figure stands upright with arms raised upward, and the entire work measures roughly 8 feet (about 2.5 meters) in height.
The sculpture was created by Guido Galletti in 1954 and lowered into the water on August 22 of that year in honor of a diver who died. Over the following decades it was restored several times, with corrosion and biological deposits removed.
The name refers to the location beneath the sea surface and represents protection for all those who work on or under the water. Divers from many countries visit the figure and sometimes leave small objects or flowers at the base.
The bay sits within a marine protected area, and visitors can view the sculpture from above while snorkeling or reach it directly with diving equipment. The water is usually clear enough to see the outline even without diving, especially on calm days.
There are several similar sculptures worldwide, all designed by the same artist and placed underwater in different locations. The figure in Italy is considered the original and attracts thousands of divers each year who photograph it and often swim in formation around it.
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