At the far end of Fegina beach, perched on a rocky waves-defying outcrop , stands the imposing statue of The Giant (Il Gigante). This colossal 14-meter-tall figure, made of reinforced concrete and iron, represents Neptune, the god of the sea. Originally, he was depicted holding a massive seashell on his shoulders, which served as a panoramic terrace for the nearby Villa Pastine.
Created in 1910 by sculptor Arrigo Minerbi and architect Francesco Levacher, the statue became the ultimate symbol of Monterosso. Although it was damaged during World War II bombings and further scarred by the great sea storm of 1966—which caused the loss of its arms and the original shell—the Giant remains a proud and powerful figure. Today, it stands as an ancient guardian watching over the horizon and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the Cinque Terre, especially at sunset when its silhouette is framed by the golden sky.