History and curiosities about the Christ the Redeemer of Maratea

Maratea is a seaside town in Basilicata, in the province of Potenza. One of the conspicuous points for the tourist is undoubtedly the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands on the top of Mount San Biagio and which can be reached after a panoramic walk. From above it is possible to admire the whole coast, looking up to Calabria on one side and to Sapri, Cilento and the Gulf of Policastro on the other. Finally, to get to the statue you have to climb numerous steps. The statue of Christ the Redeemer resembles that of Rio because, in fact, it is a copy of it. It was a local entrepreneur who wanted to create it and somehow wanted to leave his mark on his hometown. Traveling he was struck by the Christ of Rio, so he wanted one similar to Maratea. The figure of the Redeemer is curiously not facing the sea, but towards the town. This is because with its arms wide open it intends to protect Maratea and its inhabitants. Immediately below the statue, many meters below, there is the characteristic black beach.