San Fruttuoso – The Abbey di San Fruttuoso is located on the Italian Riviera between the towns of Camoglia and Portofino. It is set in a small bay under a steep wooded hill. The abbey can safely be called an architectural gem, which is of historical value. Visitors are attracted not only by the architectural monument itself, but also by the natural beauty around it. The abbey is made in the original Romanesque style. Its building, decorated with arched windows, is beautiful in itself. The domed tower rises majestically above it, attracting the admiring gaze of visitors. On the ground floor is the ancient cloister. The way to it leads through the garden. On the first floor is the upper cloister. Both rooms are decorated with columns made in Romanesque style. Today there is a museum on the territory of the attraction, where historical documents are collected, which acquaint visitors with the history of the abbey. Also there are exhibited items of monks’ everyday life. And of special interest are the ancient Roman sarcophagi, which attract with their mystery and mystery. The statue of “Christ of the Abyss” is unusual in that it is located at a depth of 17 metres near San Fruttuoso. Although it was installed relatively recently in 1954, it has already become one of the main attractions of the abbey. To see the two-metre statue, which has become a true amulet for sailors, you can only go underwater. To do this, you need to book an excursion with divers. Locals claim that the outline of the statue can be seen when the weather is sunny and windless. The history of the Abbey is shrouded in many legends, so it is impossible to name the exact date. Archaeologists claim that the first settlement in this place appeared during the Roman era, and the monastery was built in the VIII-IX centuries.
Rapallo is a resort located on the beautiful Mediterranean part of the Italian Riviera. Rapallo boasts not only picturesque views but also a glorious history. In 1494, Rapallo was attacked by Charles VIII, resulting in no survivors. Rapallo is usually visited for its Old Town: its main centre, Piazza Cavour, is characterised by a very beautiful parish church and a remarkable bell tower dating from 1857. Also popular are the 16th century Tiguglio Castle, the Pizzo Tombolo Museum in the beautiful city park and the church of Santuario della Madonna di Montallegro (612 m, 1557). You can get there by cable car, which has been in operation since 1934. Hiking enthusiasts can follow the ancient path (5 km). The Torre Civica tower, which was built at the end of the XV century, is also worth paying attention to in the city centre. Nearby is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, also called – “Chapel of the White” because of the white hoods of the brotherhood. And the Church of St Stephen – the first religious building in the city, which dates back to 1155. Today the church is called the “Chapel of the Black”, respectively, because of the black hoods of the members of the brotherhood. It is considered one of the most important monuments of Christianity on the whole coast.
