The towers are all that remain of the Igreja Matriz de São Pedro, which was dismantled and moved except for the bell towers.
The reservoir flooded the entire former valley floor, forcing the migration of the city's entire population to a new planned site.
The water level around the towers fluctuates depending on the operation of the hydroelectric plant.
The structure serves as a navigational point and a visual landmark for boat traffic on the reservoir.
The Towers of Old Church São Pedro in Itá, Santa Catarina, are the remaining structures of the original town center submerged by the construction of the Itá Hydroelectric Dam in the 1990s. The site consists of the preserved twin towers standing in the middle of the Uruguay River reservoir. Visitors access the towers via a purpose-built pedestrian walkway extending from the shoreline. These ruins serve as a memorial to the relocation of the city of Itá to higher ground. The towers are constructed of masonry and have been reinforced to withstand their semi-submerged state. They remain a symbol of the town's history and the social impacts of the reservoir creation. The surrounding water area is now a center for recreational water sports and boat tours.
From the middle of the pedestrian walkway looking directly between the two towers.
Bring polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare from the reservoir water.
Visit during the late afternoon to experience the contrast of the sunset behind the towers.
Check the local reservoir levels before traveling, as extreme fluctuations can impact visibility.
Do not attempt to climb or swim on the towers as they are historic structural ruins and potentially unstable.
