Abbey of San Fruttuoso & Christ of the Abyss

A day trip to the nearby town of San Frattuso offers a chance to discover the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a medieval fortification built by monks in the 10^th century. Situated in a deep inlet on one of the only true beachfronts in Portofino, the abbey was built to protect this small fishing village from intruders, and remains today accessible only by boat or hiking trail. The monestary, cloisters, Chapter House and church can all be visited along with the Doria tombs, which are preserved here. Perhaps one of the most renowned pieces on display here is Christ of the Abyss, an eight-and-a-half foot bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ underwater, with his head and hands reaching up towards the sky. The statue was submerged in the early 1950’s to protect the sea and divers of the area.