Professional divers recently completed a thorough pressure-washing maintenance operation on the famous underwater statue of Christ located in the Mediterranean waters off Portofino, Italy. The iconic bronze sculpture, known as "Cristo degli Abissi" or "Christ of the Depths," received its routine cleaning to preserve its condition and maintain its status as one of the world's most renowned underwater religious monuments.
The cleaning operation involved specialized marine technicians who descended to the statue's location in the protected waters of the Portofino Marine Reserve. Using underwater pressure-washing equipment specifically designed for marine environments, the divers carefully removed accumulated marine growth, algae, and sediment that had built up on the sculpture's surface over time. The delicate process required expertise to clean the statue without damaging its artistic details or disturbing the surrounding marine ecosystem.
The Cristo degli Abissi statue stands 17 meters below the surface in San Fruttuoso Bay, between Camogli and Portofino along the Italian Riviera. Created by sculptor Guido Galletti, the 2.5-meter-tall bronze figure was placed underwater in 1954 to protect divers and fishermen, and has since become a major attraction for underwater enthusiasts and religious pilgrims alike. The statue depicts Christ with arms raised toward the surface in a gesture of blessing and peace.
Marine biologists and conservation experts supervise these cleaning operations to ensure they don't harm the rich marine life that has made the statue its home over the decades. The bronze surface has become an artificial reef, supporting various species of fish, sea anemones, and other Mediterranean marine organisms. The cleaning process is carefully timed and executed to minimize disruption to these underwater communities while preserving the statue's visibility for the thousands of divers who visit annually.
Local authorities and the Portofino Marine Protected Area management coordinate these maintenance activities as part of their ongoing efforts to preserve both the cultural significance and environmental value of the site. The underwater monument attracts diving enthusiasts from around the world and represents an important intersection of art, spirituality, and marine conservation in the Mediterranean region.
