FAI – San Fruttuoso Abbey
Camogli

San Fruttuoso is a small fishing village located in a splendid bay on the slopes of the Portofino mountain in the Municipality of Camogli, reachable only by sea from Camogli and Rapallo, or on foot through the paths of the Portofino Park.

An extraordinary place, dominated by the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte. This unexpected monument, part of the FAI – the National Trust for Italy, dates back to the 8th century when Prospero, bishop of Tarragona, transferred here the ashes of S. Fruttuoso, martyr bishop of the III century, and of his deacons Augurio and Eulogio. The Benedictine monastery of the X-XIII century, founded on a perennial spring of water, acquired a high degree of spiritual, political and economic authority.

In 1551 Admiral Andrea Doria received from Pope Julius III the patronage of San Fruttuoso in exchange for the promise to build a fortress, the still existing tower built by his heirs, which would protect the complex from pirate raids. In the mid-sixteenth century, some settlers dedicated to fishing and olive cultivation took up lodgings in the rooms of the abbey, abandoned by the monks.

On August 29, 1954, the bronze statue of Christ of the Abyss, protector of divers, was collocated in the waters of the Bay, 17 meters deep. A life-size copy is kept inside the Church.

In 1983 Frank and Orietta Pogson Doria Pamphilj donated the entire complex to the FAI which oversaw its restoration, bringing the monument back to its former glory.

Today the Abbey is a museum open to the public all year round with the possibility of visiting independently or with a guided tour. Inside you can find also a small shop, the only one in San Fruttuoso, with original and sustainable gift items.

Religious weddings can be celebrated in the adjacent church, the abbey halls and gardens are available for organizing extraordinary gala evenings in the evocative atmosphere of an uncontaminated village.

To complete the offer, adjacent to the Abbey, the FAI has a small apartment for tourist use managed by The Landmark Trust and it is possible to book and spend 3 or more nights.