Il Cristo degli Abissi (Christ of the Abyss)
DivingPermit neededMooring buoys
Underwater art · Also good for snorkeling
- Best time
- May–Oct
- Water temp.
- 15–26 °C
- Dive depth
- 15–17 m
The original. A 2.5m bronze Christ, arms and eyes raised to the surface, standing on the seabed of a medieval abbey bay inside the Portofino marine reserve. Green Med light, gorgonians, forkbeard and octopus in the rocks. Placed 22 August 1954 in memory of Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to dive with scuba, who died here in 1947. Sculpted by Guido Galletti; the bronze includes medals and ships' propellers donated by Italian sailors. Raised in 2003 for restoration after an anchor severed a hand, then re-set on a new plinth. Anchorage: Anchoring restricted inside the Portofino MPA, pick up a mooring or anchor off San Fruttuoso bay and tender in. Hazards: Anchoring restricted inside the Portofino MPA, pick up a mooring or anchor off San Fruttuoso bay and tender in.

