In Florida’s John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, under 25 ft of water lies an iconic statue which has become one of the most famous diving sites in the world.

The statue depicts Christ in a pose offering peace,  with his hands and head are raised towards the surface. The statue serves as a memorial to those lost at sea and it is a symbol of peace and hope.

The 9-ft tall Christ is a bronze casting of a statue sculpted by the Italian artist Guido Galetti.   At least three bronze castings were commissioned,  the first casting is found in the Mediterranean Sea near Genoa, Italy. The second casting overlooks St George’s Harbor in Grenada. The third casting found its way to the Florida Keys.  

Egidio Cressi co-founder of Cressi, the world’s oldest scuba diving equipment company, sponsored the third casting.   When it was completed, Cressi donated the sculpture to the Underwater Society of America.

It was stored at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, until Florida’s US Senator Spessard Holland helped to successfully lobby to have the statue placed at the recently established John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park,  the first underwater park in the United States.  Originally called The Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve, the park opened to the public in 1963.

When the sculpture arrived at Key Largo it stood on the park shore for nearly two years.   Only after the 9-ft tall statue was fitted with a reinforced concrete base was it taken offshore on August 25th 1965.   Then the roughly 20,000 lb sculpture and base were lowered into the clear blue waters at Key Largo Dry Rocks

Often referred to as the Christ of the Abyss, it’s official name given was Christ of the Deep.

While offering a fun snorkeling and diving experience, the crystal clear water and vibrant marine life surrounding this spot offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere perfect for reflection. 

Just another sensational spot right off Route 1 in the Keys.