US EditionItalian divers water-blast the popular underwater statue of Christ off Portofino
Police divers use environmentally safe water-blasting to remove bacteria and crustaceans from the 2.5-meter bronze statue, preserving it as the Mediterranean's most visited dive site.
- On Aug. 19, police divers used pressurized water hoses to remove crustaceans from the 'Christ of the Abyss' statue, using seawater that causes no damage, Alessandra Cabella said.
- Since 2004, restorers have used water-blasting annually after a full restoration because metal brushes caused irreparable surface damage and crevices that attracted marine growth.
- Located about 300 meters off the coast between Portofino and Camogli at around 18 meters depth, the 2.5-meter tall bronze statue is filled with cement and iron rods for stability, which have caused internal corrosion.
- The site in the bay of San Fruttuoso draws kayakers and paddleboarders since the statue is visible from the surface, and Italy's Culture Ministry archaeological office calls it the Mediterranean's most frequented dive spot with zero environmental impact from cleaning.
- Placed in 1954 as a memorial, the 'Christ of the Abyss' was made from melted medals and equipment, symbolizes sacrifice in World War II, and has counterparts off Key Largo, Florida and Grenada.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Italian divers pressure-wash the popular underwater statue of Christ off Portofino
The 2.5-yard bronze statue, depicting Christ with his hands raised, was made using the melted-down medals of Italy’s fallen soldiers, cannons and ships and is a symbol of sacrifice in World War II.
Associated Press News
Italian divers water-blast the popular underwater statue of Christ off Portofino
Police divers in Italy have cleaned one of the biggest underwater attractions of the Mediterranean. They've used pressurized water hoses to remove crustaceans from the “Christ of the Abyss” statue that was placed on the seabed off northern Italy in 1954 as a memorial to those who have died at sea.
On the coast of San Fruttuoso (Genoa), the bronze statue "Cristo degli abissi" stands at a depth of 17 metres. In 1954 the two-and-a-half-metre-high statue of Christ was dropped into the Mediterranean. Divers of the financial police, state police, carabinieri, coast guard, navy and fire department have now cleaned the statue of algae and shells under the supervision of the memorial office.
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