John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located just 90 minutes south of Miami ...in Key Largo, Florida. It was the first undersea preserve in the United States and just celebrated it's 50th birthday.
One of the most distinctive features is the Christ of the Abyss, which is an 8 1/2 foot tall, four thousand pound bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ located 25 feet underwater.
 |
| Photo from Florida Travel & Life Magazine |
The statue is one of three cast from a mold by an Italian sculptor and was donated to the Park in 1966. The original " Il Christo Degli Abissi" was placed in the Mediterranean Sea in Genoa, Italy in 1954.
This second statue, "Christ of the Deep" was cast from the same mold and was donated by The Cressi Family of Italy to the Underwater Society of America, who in turned donated to the Florida Park Service in recognition of opening the first underwater park in the country.
This is one of the most visited underwater sites in the world....and is easy and accessible to both divers and snorkelers.
Isn't this spectacular?
15 comments:
fabulous... loving your blog... xx pam
My son found it last summer while we were snorkling and I dove down and touched it! Great experience....although my ears were hurting for awhile! It's an amazing sight to see...I wish I had an underwater camera at the time.
Wow, Debbie, this is just amazing! I've never heard of it before, but just seeing the photos is so moving, they give me goosebumps! Have you snorkeled there? Thanks for sharing!
Debbie- That is amazing! What a national treasure! Do you dive? I love the water- but not diving...xxoo Diana
Wow--that is totally astounding!!! I never heard of it...thank you so much for sharing this!!!
XO
That is so awesome looking. Especially your last photo of our Savior.
That is amazing... can you imagine actually seeing that underwater? Wow!
Unbelievable! Who knew? I've been to Key Largo and the rest of the Keys but have never come across this. Thanks for the heads-up!
Who knew? That is truly amazing. The Bavarian Christmas linky party is still open-won’t you come and join us at http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html and while you are there join the give-a-ways going on.
I've always heard about it but never made the trip for some reason. Maybe now that you've reminded me, we need to take a trip over for a dive trip.
It is so amazing!! I had never heard of this!
Do come and enter my giveaway from Fifi Flowers $200 value!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Love this! So magnificent! I had never heard of it before. Thanks so much for sharing.
Cindy
Wow, I've never heard of it. Another destination to add to my wish list. I so, so need to come across to your part of the world. This really looks amazing. Pruxxx
I saw this the other day while I was at work and couldn't comment (blocked). But this is amazing! I had heard about it and seen photos. I want to see and touch it one day myself.
I've been there snorkeling before and it is truly amazing. Even if your not the religious type there is something moving about the scene.
I hadn't thought of it in years. Thanks for sharing.
Post a Comment