In northern Italy, in South Tyrol, a lake conceals a sunken village whose medieval bell tower still rises above the surface. A strange, almost surreal sight — and a story to match.
Imagine driving through the Italian Alps when your eye is caught by a bell tower emerging… from a lake. This striking scene unfolds at Lake Resia, perched more than 1,500 metres above sea level in northern Italy. A singular landscape that hides an entire village submerged for over 70 years.
A village lost beneath the waters of northern Italy
For more than seven decades, the former village of Curon Venosta has lain beneath the lake’s surface. The reason dates back to the 1950s, when Italian authorities decided to build a dam to power a hydroelectric plant. To complete the project, two lakes were merged — sealing the fate of the village.
Nearly 900 residents were forced to leave, and more than 160 homes were swallowed by the rising waters. Although a new village was rebuilt nearby, the memory of the original lives on through this haunting setting. The only visible remnant: the bell tower of the Church of Saint Catherine, which still emerges from the lake today.
A place of fascination and legend
Over time, the site has become a true curiosity. The lone bell tower, standing in the middle of the water, draws visitors and photographers from around the world. In winter, when the lake freezes, it is even possible to walk right up to it.
This one-of-a-kind landscape has also inspired countless stories. Some say the bells can still be heard ringing on winter nights, despite having been removed before the flooding. The location even inspired the series Curon on Netflix.
In 2021, an exceptional draining of the lake briefly revealed traces of the submerged past: house foundations, staircases, fragments of the old village — a rare glimpse that served as a reminder that beneath this peaceful surface lies an entire history.
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