⛪ The White Giant Embracing the Tyrrhenian - Cristo Redentore of Maratea 🌊✨
When you reach the summit of Monte San Biagio at 640 meters above sea level, time seems to stand still. Before you stands majestically the Cristo Redentore di Maratea, a monumental sculpture that at 21.13 meters tall dominates the entire Golfo di Policastro. It is the third tallest Christ statue in Europe and the second in Italy after the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo.
A Masterpiece of Art and Engineering
This extraordinary work was created between 1963 and 1965 by the Florentine sculptor Bruno Innocenti, commissioned by Count Stefano Rivetti di Val Cervo. The statue is made with a reinforced concrete frame anchored into the rock with over 14 tons of iron, covered with a mixture of white cement and Carrara marble chips giving it that dazzling brightness under the Mediterranean sun.
The numbers are impressive: 19 meters of arm span, a head 3 meters high, and a total weight of about 400 tons. Inside there is even a ladder for maintenance access, although it is not open to tourists.
A Fascinating Optical Illusion
What makes this statue even more special is its unique configuration: Christ’s shoulders face the sea and his face toward the mainland, as if watching over the people of Maratea. Yet, thanks to the particular angle of the face and eyes inclined downward, from afar sailors seem to feel his gaze directed toward them on the sea—a distinctive landmark for seafarers.
Breathtaking Panorama
The viewpoint at the statue’s base offers a 360° stunning view: the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea blending with the sky, rugged cliffs plunging into the Gulf, towns dotting the coast up to Sapri and Diamante, and inland the majestic Lucanian Apennines rising up to 1,500 meters. It is considered the most spectacular panoramic spot in the entire Maratea territory.
How to Reach the Statue
The road to the summit is an experience in itself: a series of scenic hairpin bends resting on tall pillars, offering ever more impressive coastal views. In summer, to manage tourist flow, cars are stopped at the Madonna degli Ulivi parking (€5/hour), from where a shuttle bus (€1) rapidly takes visitors to the Basilica of San Biagio and the Cristo. For the more adventurous, there is a "path of faith" starting from Santa Caterina that in about 20 minutes leads to the top, avoiding the curves.
A Place of Spirituality and Beauty
Next to the Christ stands the Basilica of San Biagio, which since 732 A.D. holds the precious relics of the Armenian patron saint of Maratea. The area is steeped in spirituality: Maratea is known as the "city of 44 churches." Nearby is also the Grotta dell’Angelo, considered the area's first Christian place of worship with a rare Byzantine fresco from the 9th-10th century depicting the Crucifixion.
Practical Tips
✨ Best moment: Sunset is magical—the sky lights up in warm colors, bathing the statue and landscape in golden light.
🚗 Access: Open 24 hours with free entrance.
📸 Photo tip: At the statue’s feet, look up to capture those