Lake Resia, located in Northern Italy near the borders of Austria and Switzerland, attracts tourists from all over the world who flock to see the lone, Romanesque bell tower that shoots out of the lake’s sparkling turquoise waters.

Since 1950, this single 14th-century steeple has been the only visible remnant of Curon, a village that was intentionally flooded to allow for the construction of a hydroelectric plant.

Submerging more than 160 homes, this post-war project displaced hundreds of the village’s inhabitants, many of whom left against their will, with some relocating to the new village created nearby.

Now, more than 70 years later, Lake Resia has been temporarily drained to allow for maintenance, and the rubble of buildings that once stood beside the now iconic church tower have been exposed. 

Locals, who regularly travelled to Lago di Resia to admire the mystical floating tower, are now exploring the bottom of the lake to witness the lost town in which the famous tower once belonged.

In eerie photos posted to social media, the ghostly old cellars, walls and steps that historically formed the foundation of the whole village can be seen.

Luisa Azzolini, the local woman who captured and posted the photos on Twitter, described the feeling of walking through the rubble of this forgotten town as “strange”.

Unfortunately, the astonishing sight of this lost village is only temporary, with authorities planning to submerge it once again as soon as repairs are finished.

However, rest assured, it will be just as thrilling to marvel at the spire that stands tall in the middle of Lake Resia; this scene has, after all, inspired a book and a Netflix series.

Marco Balzano’s historical novel, Resto qui, is set in the small village of Curon and, through the voice of a mother telling her life story, explores the conflict that existed between Italian Fascism and German Nazism.

The Netflix series, Curon, named after the village it is set in, explores the dark family legacy that two teenage twins must unravel when their mother mysteriously disappears after returning to her home town.

Lake Resia and its iconic tower are definitely worth a visit.

The surrounding towns in South Tyrol, which fall under the shadow of the Dolomite Alps, are just as breathtakingly beautiful and are all interconnected by bike trails, making them easily accessible.

Make sure you follow the trails all the way to the lost village of Curon on your next trip.

Legend has it, the church bells can occasionally be heard chiming, despite being removed some 70 years ago.