The bells were removed from the tower on July 18, 1950, shortly before the flooding of the village.
The reservoir serves the Resia hydroelectric plant, which has a capacity of 25 megawatts.
Local architecture historians consider the tower's stone masonry a classic example of 14th-century regional ecclesiastical construction.
The lake covers a surface area of approximately 6.6 square kilometers at maximum capacity.
Despite the submergence of the surrounding village, the tower structure remains structurally sound due to periodic maintenance of its exterior masonry.
In 2021, the lake was drained for maintenance, temporarily revealing the foundations of the old village houses around the tower base.
The Kirchturm von Altgraun is a 14th-century Romanesque bell tower rising from the center of Reschensee (Lake Resia) in South Tyrol, Italy. It is the only remaining structure of the village of Curon, which was flooded in 1950 to create a hydroelectric reservoir. The original village and six other hamlets were submerged after the construction of a dam merged two natural lakes. The bell tower dates to 1357 and was preserved during the demolition of the village because of its cultural and historical significance. In winter, the lake surface freezes, allowing visitors to walk directly to the base of the tower. During low water levels, the tower is accessible by a narrow land bridge. The site is a prominent symbol of the Vinschgau valley and the impact of post-war industrial development on local communities.
The shoreline path along the SP52 road provides the standard unobstructed view of the tower against the mountain backdrop.
Visit during the winter months to walk across the frozen lake to touch the tower walls.
Check local water levels online before visiting if you hope to see the exposed foundations.
Bring binoculars to observe details of the Romanesque window arches from the shoreline.
Do not attempt to walk onto the lake ice until it has been officially declared safe by local authorities.
