Every summer, divers return to the depths off Italy’s Ligurian coast for a unique conservation ritual — the annual cleaning of the bronze statue known as Christ of the Abyss.
Resting beneath the waves of the Bay of San Fruttuoso, between Portofino and Camogli, this underwater monument is one of the Mediterranean Sea’s most visited and recognized dive sites.
What is Christ of the Abyss?
Christ of the Abyss is a submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ created by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. The original statue rests on the seafloor in the Mediterranean Sea, near San Fruttuoso, between the coastal towns of Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera.
The Christ of the Abyss statue, submerged approximately 17 meters (56 feet) below the surface, draws attention not only for its spiritual symbolism but also for the careful tradition that keeps it preserved.
Italian police divers, guided by conservation specialists, carry out the cleaning each year using pressurized jets of seawater. This method allows marine organisms to be gently removed and returned to the surrounding waters without damaging the bronze surface or disrupting the fragile underwater ecosystem.
Preserving an underwater icon through eco-friendly methods
Alessandra Cabella, an art historian overseeing the effort, has emphasized that the process avoids physical contact with the sculpture. She explained that the water-based technique ensures both the statue’s integrity and the health of marine life.
Police divers have cleaned one of the biggest underwater attractions of the Mediterranean, using pressurized water hoses to remove crustaceans from the “Christ of the Abyss” statue that was placed on the seabed off Italy’s northern coast in 1954 as a memorial to those who have… pic.twitter.com/5LF9nWnM7T
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) August 22, 2025
Cabella also noted that the ritual often attracts curious fish, drawn to the activity, making the operation both effective and environmentally neutral.
This annual maintenance tradition began in 2004, following earlier restoration challenges. Conservation teams had discovered that older cleaning tools—such as metal brushes—had scratched the statue’s protective patina.
The damage created small cracks where marine buildup easily took hold. That same year, the statue’s right arm, which had detached over time, was reattached. The seawater jet method adopted then remains the standard today.
A tribute carved in bronze and sealed in history
The bronze statue was placed on the seafloor in 1954 in memory of Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian diver to use SCUBA gear, who died nearby in 1947. Italian sculptor Guido Galletti created the piece based on an idea by diving instructor Duilio Marcante.
Standing 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall with arms extended toward the surface, the statue is viewed as a symbol of peace and a tribute to those lost at sea and in war. Due to the clarity of the water and the shallow depth, it is visible from boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Constructed from a mix of military medals, naval components, and cannons, the statue’s bronze body was filled with cement and reinforced with iron bars. That iron, as Cabella has pointed out, later contributed to corrosion inside the sculpture.
A significant restoration in 2003 addressed this, including the replacement of a broken hand likely damaged by an anchor. The statue was returned to the sea the following year with a new base. Another deep cleaning followed in 2018.
Enduring legacy of Christ of the Abyss
Christ of the Abyss remains the centerpiece of underwater heritage along the Italian Riviera. The Ministry of Culture identifies the site as the Mediterranean’s most popular diving destination due to its accessibility.
Though replicas exist in Florida and Grenada, the original off San Fruttuoso continues to draw attention not only for its artistry but also for the dedicated care that preserves it each year.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
