6 – VAGLI LAKE (ENG)

A ghost village buried under 34 million cubic meters of water: this is the true story of Fabbriche di Careggine, the town in the Garfagnana region that was completely flooded in 1947 to create Vagli Lake, an artificial reservoir used for hydroelectric purposes and as a water reserve for the entire area in case of fire.

The inhabitants of Fabbriche di Careggine were relocated to a new village, Vagli di Sotto, built on the lake’s promontory. Thus, the town, which had existed since the 13th century and was renowned for its artisanal ironwork, disappeared forever.

Under the water, traces of the village still remain: its stone houses still standing, the cemetery, the bridge, and the Romanesque church of San Teodoro, now with its bell tower in ruins.

The village resurfaces only when the dam is emptied for maintenance work.