
by Chuck Ness
Ths image above is the restored clay statue, which was the mold for the famous, "Il Cristo degli Abissi" statue. The It can be seen at the Ravenna "National Museum of the Underwater Activities" in Italy. The video below is of a replica of the original statue is in the Mediterranean sea off San Fruttuoso, between Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera. The statue made from the mold above was placed in the water on 22 August 1954 at approximately 17 meters depth, and stands 2.5 meters (8.5 feet) tall. Professor Guido Galletti cast the original from the inspiration of the first Italian to use SCUBA gear, swimmer/diver Duilo Merchant. Galletti wanted a symbol to inspire all who explored and loved the sea in 1954.