San Fruttuoso – A Hidden Jewel

San Fruttuoso is the ideal place to spend a different day

A small fishing village situated in a beautiful bay on the slopes of the Portofino mountain, in the municipality of Camogli, which can only be reached by sea, or on foot, through the paths of the Park.

Reaching S. Fruttuoso from the sea, coming from Camogli or the Gulf of Tigullio, is truly exciting. Lungo il percorso il Monte di Portofino appare in tutta la sua maestosa bellezza. A succession of high, rugged cliffs and enchanting coves, some inaccessible and uninhabited, others characterised by small settlements such as San Fruttuoso, Paraggi, Porto Pidocchio and Portofino itself, which, together with the natural wharf of Punta Chiappa, represent the promontory’s main tourist destinations

The Abbey suddenly appears in all its beauty. Behind the green Monte di Portofino, in front a beautiful beach, around the few houses of the village, and the Saracen Tower.

A truly unique place, where the sea and the land blend together in an extraordinary way, creating a scenario of great beauty.

Don’t miss a visit to this splendid monument, now a FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano heritage site, which has very ancient origins, dating back to the 8th century, when Prospero, Bishop of Tarragona, transferred here the ashes of St. Fruttuoso, a 3rd-century martyred bishop.
The church and adjoining monastery, damaged by the Saracens, were rebuilt by the Benedictines in the 10th century, acquiring great power in the area.
In the 13th century, it came under the patronage of the powerful Doria family, who built the current structure.
In 1983, the FAI restored the complex to its former glory, and today the Abbey is available for visits and special events.

Immersed in the waters of the Bay is the Christ of the Abyss, the protector of divers, a bronze statue placed in 1954 on the seabed of the Bay of S. Fruttuoso, an unmissable destination for those who love diving, which is only possible if carried out in the presence of authorised guides, as we are inside the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

A copy of the statue can be seen inside the Church of San Fruttuoso.

To crown the day, you cannot miss a good plate of trenette al pesto and a rich fish fry, in one of the village’s small restaurants offering simple, traditional cuisine.