Iconic Christ of the Deep Statue Marks 50 Years Beneath the Sea

This Keys History story spotlights an historically focused attraction, event, person or place that enriches the Florida Keys

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys - August marks 50 years since an iconic "Christ of the Deep" statue was installed in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The 9-foot bronze "Christ of the Deep" has become a symbol for Key Largo's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America's first underwater preserve created in 1960, which is part of the sanctuary.

It is a replica of the Italian original, "Il Christo Degli Abissi" or "Christ of the Abyss." The statue, with arms uplifted in a gesture of invitation, is considered a symbol of peace and understanding among mankind.

Visitors from around the world come to snorkel, dive or ride glass-bottom boats to view and photograph the iconic statue that rests in less than 25 feet of water about 5 miles off Key Largo at a site called Key Largo Dry Rocks, a box canyon that rises around beautiful coral formations.

Created by artist Guido Galletti, the original was placed in the shallow San Fruttuoso Bay near Portofino, Italy, in 1954. Galletti also crafted the mold for a Christ statue that was cast for Egidi Cressi, a well-known diving equipment manufacturer, who donated it to the Underwater Society of America in 1961.

"Christ of the Deep" traveled 6,000 miles from Italy to Chicago, Ill., where it was placed in storage.

Although state dive councils in Illinois, Michigan and the Northeast petitioned for the statue, it was decided the clear waters of Pennekamp Park were to be the statue's final resting place.

In late 1963, the statue was transported to Orlando, Fla., placed on display, and later exhibited at St. Petersburg and Palm Beach, Fla., before arriving at Key Largo where it was stored outdoors at Pennekamp park.

Finally, executed with the aid of local dive operators and park officials, a small budget and donations of concrete for the statue's 20-ton base, the statue was lowered beneath the surface and secured to the seabed Aug. 25, 1965.

Key Largo visitor information:
fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088

Florida Keys diving information:
fla-keys.com/diving

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