January days are ideal for a short getaway. Parts of Italy, especially those along the border with Switzerland and Austria, undoubtedly offer an unusual experience that will turn a winter trip into a real spectacle.
Lago di Resia is located in the region of South Tyrol in the valley of the municipality of Curon Venosta on the border with Switzerland and Austria. The magnificent lake, which offers a completely different and always fascinating landscape in all seasons, rises up to 1,500 meters above sea level. The area, which makes it the widest lake in the Alpine arc, extends to 6.6 km². What sets Lago di Resia apart from other man-made lakes is for sure an unusual tower, which rises above the water level and is from in 1357. A tower that forms a unique panorama, belonged to the Romanesque church of St. Katarina, which was sunk during the construction of the dam in the early 1950s.
The lake was created in 1950 after the construction of a dam for electricity production. At that time, the neighboring villages of Curon and Resia were submerged, and many houses and the church of St. Katarina from the 14th century, of which only the tower remains, which today represents the main feature of the Val Venosta valley. The new settlement was created on higher points above the lake and today has around 2,000 inhabitants.
What sets Lago di Resiu apart from other man-made lakes is certainly the unusual tower that rises above the surface of the water and dates back to 1357.Photo: Alejandra Gonzales/Unsplash
Lago di Resia and Val Venosta valley acquire a special beauty in winter period, when the lake is covered with thick a layer of ice – which allows tourists to walk to the immediate vicinity of the Romanesque tower. In addition to the lake and the bell tower, the South Tyrol region offers many attractions that are worth visiting, including the church of St. Ane, which is located on a hill above the lake itself and offers a view of the entire Curon Venosta Valley. 5 kilometers around the lake there is also the beautiful Belpiano ski track, which is intended for winter sports fans.
The legend of the lake
In this area, for many years, a legend has been told that in winter, due to the strong wind at night, a bell can be heard from the tower, which heralds death.
