San Fruttuoso, the secret Ligurian bay with a “treasure” at the bottom of the sea
Thanks to social media and the many tours that depart from Camogli and Portofino, today it is more famous, but once this place was a secret: it is San Fruttuoso . The small paradise reachable on foot via winding and challenging paths or by sea, welcomes you with a very small exclusive beach, a historic abbey and a tower that offers one of the most suggestive views of the bay . Plus? A secret is kept in the waters : a statue immersed at 15 meters of depth visible only to the most expert divers. There are those who define the place as a refuge where soul, nature and history blend in perfect harmony and we couldn't agree more.
What to see in San FruttuosoSan Fruttuoso is a true gem of Liguria , a place where the sea is enchanting and every corner tells pieces of history. The bay is really small and can be reached by boat or trekking; yet, despite its small size, it holds precious treasures.
It is not a real town but every year it attracts thousands of visitors who, for a day or a few hours, stop to visit the abbey, the tower, enjoy the beach or go diving.
It is located not far from Camogli and Portofino or from Santa Margherita Ligure and Genoa and is, in all respects, a place not to be missed. Legends say that it was the saint himself who indicated this place for the construction of the abbey and to be able to guard his relics.
Even though it is compact and has a thin and limited beach, it manages to win over many people who choose this corner of paradise to enjoy a bit of relaxation, take a dip in history or stop for a typical lunch.
The AbbeyIt can be visited both inside and outside and is the main monument here. It stands a few meters from the shoreline and integrates perfectly with the landscape. The dome is discreet but is recognizable from the entire bay; it was built in the 8th century and rebuilt between the 10th and 11th centuries thanks to the intervention of the Doria family who requested its enlargement. There was a time when the water lapped directly against the lower arches of the building and the fishermen docked directly under the abbey to fill their nets.
The interior is equally evocative: starting with the upper cloister, a silent space from the 12th century overlooking the sea, you go up to the second floor where the Gothic triple lancet windows and the rectory reveal a small secret garden.
In the lower cloister is the oldest area of the complex with white and green marble columns surmounted by richly decorated capitals with plant and animal motifs. It is precisely in this area that the Doria family lies, having chosen this location for their tombs.
You can then visit the medieval church and the crypt as well as the public church with a reliquary containing the remains of the martyrs Augurio and Eulogio Fruttuoso.
The beachOnce you disembark, the first wonder is the beach of San Fruttuoso . The expanse of pebbles and sand of narrow dimensions is not suitable to accommodate a large number of tourists; yet, it can give moments of enchantment. The water is truly transparent and the contrast between the darker rocks and the green of the mountains give a breathtaking view.
Although small in size, it manages to meet the needs of every traveler: one part is dedicated to a free beach , therefore without sunbeds and umbrellas. Free , it is perfect for those looking for an experience in contact with nature or who do not want to spend too much. Another area is instead dedicated to the equipped beach with umbrellas and sunbeds for a fee. The best time to enjoy it? Early in the morning, or in the late afternoon: in these moments the turnout is lower.
Christ of the AbyssOne of the attractions not to be missed? The Christ of the Abyss . A 2-meter-high bronze statue positioned at a depth of 15 meters. It was placed on the seabed in memory of Dario Gonzatti, a diver who lost his life in this very area during a dive. The work of art was designed by the sculptor Guido Galletti in 1954 .
The representation is that of the redeemer with his arms turned upwards in a clear gesture of blessing; to reach it you need a patent to dive and join a guided group. Inside the abbey there is a replica.
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In addition to the abbey, the Doria tower stands out on the panorama, a building dating back to 1562 and obviously built for defensive purposes. At that time, attacks by Saracen pirates were frequent and the Doria family wanted this strategic control point to protect the bay. Today, of course, it has a purely decorative purpose and from here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Ligurian coast.
You can reach it on foot with a relatively short climb: at the top the view is breathtaking and from here you can take truly incredible photos to share on social media or have printed.
Where is San Fruttuoso Bay and how to get thereIt is called San Fruttuoso Bay and is one of the jewels of Liguria off the coast of Camogli and not far from the Portofino natural park. It can only be reached by sea, or through challenging hiking trails, and what makes it so famous is not only the Benedictine Abbey but above all the crystalline waters.
The bay of San Fruttuoso can be reached by boat or ferry. The most convenient options are to embark through the numerous passages that depart from Punta Chiappa , Camogli or Recco . The closest and most convenient point is Camogli, it takes just 5 minutes of navigation to reach this wonder.
For those who love trekking , good news: in about 2 and a half hours of walking from the Portofino regional natural park, there are several paths that allow you to reach the monastery with very respectable views overlooking the sea.
In short, San Fruttuoso in the Capodimonte bay is a real gem not to be missed, a little gem that tells the most authentic Liguria offering entertainment for everyone. Trekking, sea, diving, art, history, culture and of course a very respectable beach. From diving to the Christ of the Abyss to the opportunity to see the inside of the abbey or even walk the paths to reach the beach stopping at the Doria tower: it is a hidden corner that deserves to be discovered.
