Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, Camogli

The monastic complex, singular and unique in its kind, connected to its particular location in the bay of Capodimonte, includes: the church, the cloister, and the abbey. Its origin is linked to the relocation of the relics of Saint Fructuosus to the bay, around the 8th century, by Greek monks.

The abbey dates back to the 10th-11th century, except for the sea-facing part which can be dated to the 13th century, composed of two orders of triforas, whose style refers to Genoese noble palaces. The bell tower, built around the 10th century, initially with a spherical dome, following the Byzantine artistic canon, was later topped by an octagonal tower.

The cloister of the abbey was built in the 12th century and was later modified at the request of Andrea Doria; today it consists of two orders of arches. On the upper floor, a corridor with rib vaults supported by columns overlooks the square courtyard; the lower part was designated as the burial place for members of the Doria family who died between 1275 and 1305. These are tombs surmounted by pointed arches alternating white and black stripes, typical of Ligurian art. In addition to the tombs of the noble Genoese family, there are two other sepulchers and an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

In the 17th century, the complex experienced a true structural decline; some rooms were used as sheepfolds, others as wood sheds. In 1730, Camillo Doria intervened, carrying out a restoration that returned the church to its original function.

In 1915, a flood destroyed part of the complex, which was restored by the State in 1933. In 1983, the Doria Pamphili family donated the San Fruttuoso complex to the FAI, and restoration work began in 1985.