Lake of Resia
Lake Resia (Italian: Lago di Resia; German: Reschensee; Ladin: Lech de Resia) is an artificial alpine lake in the westernmost part of South Tyrol, Italy, created in 1950 by the merging and enlargement of two natural glacial lakes through a hydroelectric dam project. With a surface area of 6.6 km² and a capacity of 120 million cubic metres, it is the largest lake in South Tyrol and the largest lake above 1,000 metres in the Alps. The lake is internationally known for the solitary Romanesque bell tower of the submerged medieval village of Graun that rises from its waters, one of the most evocative images in the Italian Alps.
At a glance
- Type
- Artificial lake (hydroelectric reservoir)
- Period
- Reservoir created 1950; submerged village of Graun dates to the medieval period
- Style
- Alpine landscape; industrial heritage (dam engineering)
- Location
- Val Venosta (Vinschgau), South Tyrol, Italy — approx. 2 km south of the Reschen Pass (border with Austria)
- Coordinates
- 46.8108° N, 10.5366° E
- Altitude
- 1,498 m (4,915 ft) above sea level
Overview
The lake lies in the upper Val Venosta valley near the Reschen Pass (1,504 m), which forms the border between Italy and Austria, and approximately 3 km from the ridge separating Italy from Switzerland. It is fed by the Adige (Etsch) river, the Rojenbach, and the Karlinbach streams, and drained by the Adige southward. The surrounding landscape is dominated by the Ötztal Alps to the east and the Sesvenna Group to the west, with winter skiing at Schöneben-Haideralm above the western shore. The iconic bell tower of Graun, rising about 20–25 metres above the water surface, is visible year-round and becomes fully walkable when the lake level is lowered in winter.
History
The creation of the reservoir required the flooding of the medieval villages of Graun im Vinschgau and Reschen in 1950, displacing approximately 163 families. The village church of Graun was demolished, but the 14th-century Romanesque bell tower was left standing as the water level rose — reportedly because demolition would have cost too much. The residents were forcibly relocated with limited compensation, a trauma that left lasting cultural memory in the local Ladin and German-speaking communities. The event has since been commemorated in exhibitions, documentaries, and literary works, and the submerged village occasionally re-emerges partially during winter drawdowns.
What you see
The 14th-century bell tower of Graun, rising from the lake’s surface without its church, is the defining image of Lake Resia and one of the most photographed views in South Tyrol. In winter, when the reservoir level is lowered for energy production, the ruins of house foundations and stone walls of the old village become partially visible, drawing visitors on guided walks across the ice. The surrounding mountain panorama — the Ötztal Alps to the east and the Rhaetian Alps to the west — provides a dramatic Alpine backdrop. The lakeside cycling and hiking trail (Vinschgau cycling path) passes directly along the eastern shore.
Cultural significance
Lake Resia represents both a feat of mid-20th-century Alpine hydroengineering and a monument to the social cost of post-war infrastructural development, when hundreds of mountain communities across the Alps were submerged or displaced. The bell tower has become a symbol of loss and resilience for the communities of the upper Val Venosta, and its story is central to the collective memory of the German-speaking and Ladin minorities of South Tyrol. The site also marks the ancient Via Claudia Augusta, the Roman road that crossed the Alps via the Reschen Pass, adding a layer of archaeological and historical significance to the landscape.
Practical information
The lake is freely accessible year-round; there is no admission charge. The lakeside cycling and walking path allows circumnavigation of most of the shoreline. In winter (approximately December–February), when the lake is frozen and the water level is lowered, visitors can walk to the base of the bell tower — guided tours are sometimes organised by local tourism offices. The village of Graun (Curon Venosta) on the northern shore has accommodation, restaurants, and a small museum documenting the flooding history. Check local tourism websites for current guided tour schedules and winter access conditions.
Getting there
From Bolzano: drive north-west on the SS38 along the Val Venosta (Vinschgau) for approximately 75 km; the lake is signposted at Graun/Curon Venosta. By train: the Vinschgau Railway (Vinschger Bahn) connects Merano to Malles Venosta (Mals) in approximately 1.5 hours; from Malles, the lake is about 7 km by bus or bicycle. From Austria: cross the Reschen Pass (open year-round) and descend 2 km to the lake. The nearest airport is Bolzano (BZO), approximately 80 km away; Innsbruck (INN) in Austria is approximately 70 km via the Brenner and Reschen passes.