The city of Palermo in Italy is expecting a boost in tourism soon as it prepares to submerge a statue of Christ off the Sicilian coast.

The statue, named ‘Christ of the Abyss’ will be plunged 30m (98ft) underwater next month and will be ready for tourists by 18 May. The two-metre Christ of the Abyss is made of environment-friendly materials, assured officials.

Palermo’s mayor Leoluca Orlando is supportive of the idea initiated by a local diving school. The mayor hoped that the tourism boost will push the city to a ‘new step forward’ toward growth.

Bronze Christ of the Abyss in Florida

Palermo isn’t the lone region which attracts religious tourism due to a submerged icon. The first submerged Christ was left out in the Italian Riviera in 1954. Copies can also be found in Grenada in the Caribbean and Key Largo in Florida, USA.