Strangest Things Found in the Middle of Nowhere

Summary

This video takes viewers on a journey to explore some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating landmarks, from underwater statues to remote monasteries. Highlights include the Christ of the Abyss statue submerged off the coast of Italy, a mysterious church atop the Katskhi Pillar in Georgia, and giant concrete arrows once used by postal pilots in the 1920s and 30s. Each landmark has its own intriguing backstory, showcasing human creativity, history, and devotion in unique and unexpected ways. A must-watch for anyone interested in hidden wonders around the globe.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Christ of the Abyss' statue, submerged 55 feet underwater near Genoa, was created in 1954 to honor diver Dario Gonzatti, who tragically passed away during an expedition.
• 😀 The 'Christ of the Abyss' statue is occasionally brought to the surface for restoration due to saltwater corrosion, and then returned to its location.
• 😀 Visitors can dive to see the 'Christ of the Abyss' statue, which is designed with open arms as a symbol of peace and remembrance.
• 😀 The Katskhi pillar in Georgia is home to an ancient church built in the 10th century, making it one of the highest and most isolated churches in the world.
• 😀 The construction methods of the Katskhi church are a mystery, as no records detail how it was built on top of the pillar.
• 😀 The church atop the Katskhi pillar is believed to have originally been a site for pagan fertility rites before Christian ascetics built the church.
• 😀 The monks residing at the Katskhi pillar church can now ascend the 130-foot structure using an iron ladder, which takes them 15-20 minutes.
• 😀 The Katskhi pillar is a symbol of solitude and asceticism, and the monks live in minimal conditions, far from earthly temptations.
• 😀 Giant concrete arrows, scattered across the American landscape, were part of a postal pilot navigation system used in the 1920s and 1930s to guide air mail pilots.
• 😀 The concrete arrows were originally topped with 50-foot steel towers with beacons, helping pilots navigate across the United States until modern aviation systems replaced them.
• 😀 Most of the original concrete arrow towers were scrapped during WWII, leaving behind only the arrows themselves, which can still be seen today from the air.

Q & A

Why was the 'Christ of the Abyss' statue placed underwater?

The 'Christ of the Abyss' statue was placed underwater to honor those who have perished at sea, particularly diver Dario Gonzatti, who tragically died during a diving expedition in 1947.

How tall is the 'Christ of the Abyss' statue and where is it located?

The 'Christ of the Abyss' statue stands 8.2 feet tall and is located 55 feet below the surface near Genoa, Italy.

What is the process for restoring the 'Christ of the Abyss' statue?

The statue is occasionally brought to the surface for restoration to address the corrosion caused by saltwater, then it is dropped back into the same spot.

What is the history behind the church on Katskhi Pillar in Georgia?

The church on Katskhi Pillar, built in the 10th century, is one of the highest and most isolated churches in the world. It was constructed on a pillar that was historically a holy site used for pagan fertility rites, and later became a Christian monastic site.

How did the builders of the Katskhi Pillar church manage to construct it?

The exact method of construction is unknown, but it is believed that the builders either hauled materials up using ropes and pulleys or stayed on the pillar during the building process.

What is the role of the monks at the Katskhi Pillar church today?

Monks still reside at the Katskhi Pillar church and can scale the pillar in 15-20 minutes using an iron ladder, living in isolation at the site.

What were the 'Stylites' in Christian history?

The 'Stylites' were Christian ascetics who sought spiritual solace by living on top of pillars to avoid earthly temptations, and the Katskhi Pillar church is linked to this tradition.

What is the purpose of the giant concrete arrows found across the United States?

The giant concrete arrows were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s to help American air mail pilots navigate across the country, guiding them from the West Coast to the East Coast.

How were the concrete arrows originally marked to be visible to pilots?

The concrete arrows were originally topped with 50-foot steel towers that had beacons to catch the attention of pilots, and the arrows themselves were up to 70 feet long.

Why were the beacons and steel towers removed from the concrete arrows?

The steel towers and beacons were scrapped during World War II to supply metal for the war effort, leaving behind the deteriorating arrows as historical relics.