Find accommodation & make a request
from 110 €
Hotel & Spa Falkensteinerhof
Wellness hotel | Vals in Eisacktal
s
from 89 €
Vital Hotel Ortlerspitz
Dreamlike holidays | St. Valentin auf der Haide in Vinschgau
from 65 €
Hotel Theiner
Holidays in the middle of nature | at Reschen pass in Vinschgau
from 181 €
MIRABELL DOLOMITES HOTEL
Luxury . Ayurveda & SPA | Olang at Mt. Kronplatz
from 131 €
SONNENHOF Sun/Spa/Panorama
Sporthotel | Pfalzen at Mt. Kronplatz
s
from 163 €
Viktoria Alpine Spa Resort
Wellnesshotel | Hafling near Meran
from 113 €
Die Waldruhe
Nature holiday | Kiens at Mt. Kronplatz
s
from 122 €
Hotel & SPA RESORT Majestic
Wellness hotel | Reischach at Mt. Kronplatz
from 141 €
Vitalpina Hotel Schulerhof
Active hotel | Plaus near Meran
from 220 €
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier
Sport & wellness resort | St. Martin in Passeiertal
from 200 €
WINKLER Sport & Spa Resort
Design hotel | St. Lorenzen at Mt. Kronplatz
from 114 €
Panoramahotel Watles
Varied activities | Mals in Vinschgau
from 230 €
Alpenpalace Spa Retreat
Exclusive well-being oasis | St. Johann in Tauferer Ahrntal

Lake Reschen in South Tyrol: sunken church tower in the lake

The old church tower of Graun in Vinschgau cannot be denied a certain romance. It juts out of the water of Lake Reschen, visible from afar, and is a popular excursion destination. Travellers passing through also like to make a stop at the famous photo motif in South Tyrol.

Facts & figures of the largest lake in South Tyrol

Church tower in Lake Reschen
Church tower in Lake Reschen

The church tower of Alt-Graun is still today proof of the village's history and has become the landmark of Reschenpass holiday region.

Frieder Blickle - Vinschgau Marketing
Church tower emerging from Lake Reschen
Church tower emerging from Lake Reschen

In winter, when the lake is frozen and the ice is thick enough, you can walk to the church tower on the ice.

IDM_Vinschgau Marketing - Frieder Blickle
  • Location: In the upper Vinschgau Valley in South Tyrol, Italy, close to the borders with Austria and Switzerland, in the municipality of Graun in the Vinschgau.
  • Altitude: 1,498 metres above sea level.
  • Size: Area of approx. 6.6 hectares, length approx. 6 kilometres, width approx. 1 kilometre.
  • Depth: Maximum depth of around 45 metres.
  • Formation: Created in 1950 by damming up several natural lakes to generate energy. The 14th century bell tower rising out of the water is a landmark and a reminder of the flooded villages.
  • Water supply: Fed by Adige river and several smaller rivers; serves as a reservoir for hydroelectric power generation.
  • Circumnavigation: Hikers and cyclists circle the lake on a promenade path of around 15 kilometres.
  • Its Italian name is Lago di Resia.

The lake damming & flooded villages

Graun
Graun

Lake Reschen in winter

Kurt Michel / pixelio.de

Behind the popular photo motif, however, lies a tragedy for many people in Upper Vinschgau, which occurred in 1950. The tower is the only visible remnant of the former village of Graun. Until then, there had been three lakes on the Reschen Pass. Between 1948 and 1950, a large power station was built in this area by the Italian electricity giant Montecatini. These lakes were also dammed up to generate electricity, the former Lake Graun and Lake Reschen merged into one huge reservoir and the village disappeared in the floods.

Over 150 houses and a good 500 hectares of cultivated land were flooded. Despite compensation payments from the electricity company, many families were left without a future, remained behind and moved to the newly built Neu-Graun.

To this day, the traces of this event in the landscape have largely healed. The scars in the souls of the people who had to watch their homes disappear forever under the floodwaters remain in many cases.

Tower of the old parish church in Graun

The bell tower of the old parish church of St Katharina von Graun, which juts out of Lake Reschen, dates back to the 14th century. It is a reminder of the former village of Alt-Graun and was deliberately preserved when the lake was flooded in 1950. The tower is dedicated to St Catherine and is now a listed building. It is a symbolic landmark of the region that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Current holiday offers

from 100 €
Hotel Tirolerhof

Welcome to Tirolerhof. The perfect place for your active holidays – skiing, cross-country skiing and relaxing. Directly at Mt. Kronplatz in Gsies Valley.

To the hotel
from 144 €
Hotel Sand

Holidays in Vinschgau - Garden with 25 m sports pool & natural bathing pond, bike paths, countless hiking possibilities and much more.

To the hotel
from 147 €
LANERHOF Active/Spa/Balance

A refuge to arrive and rest, since ever characterised by the warm hospitality of the Winkler family.

To the hotel
from 135,50 €
Hotel Vilpianerhof

Genuine hospitality, which comes from the heart - at the Vilpianerhof near Bozen and Meran!

To the hotel

Activities around Lake Reschen

MTB at Lake Reschen
MTB at Lake Reschen

Dreamlike tour with view of the church tower of Lake Reschen

IDM Südtirol - Kirsten-J. Sörries
Reschen
Reschen

The fascination of snowkiting

Ferienregion Reschenpass
Reschen lake
Reschen lake

Graun is known for its old Romanesque chruch tower which rises up from the waters of Reschensee.

Ferienregion Obervinschgau
Reschen
Reschen

Ski touring at Lake Reschen

Ferienregion Reschenpass

Lake Reschen offers a wealth of leisure activities for nature lovers and active holidaymakers all year round. Whether action-packed activities or relaxing walks along the lakeshore – everyone gets their money's worth around Lake Reschen.

Hiking, cycling & water sports

In summer, the mountains in the upper Vinschgau invite you to go hiking and mountain biking with breathtaking panoramic views. The lake itself is a hotspot for water sports such as kitesurfing, sailing and stand-up paddling, thanks to the ideal wind conditions.

Winter holiday fun on ice & ski slopes

In winter, the region transforms into a true winter sports paradise: The frozen lake is perfect for ice skating and snowkiting. In the surrounding ski areas of Haideralm and Schöneben, holidaymakers can look forward to perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding. Those who love cross-country skiing and ski touring will feel right at home in the idyllic Langtaufers valley, which branches off from Lake Reschen near Graun.

Ice sailing & ice surfing

Lake Reschen is particularly popular with ice sailors and ice surfers. Why is this lake particularly suitable for this?

  • Stable ice cover: Due to its altitude of around 1,500 metres, Lake Reschen reliably freezes over and forms a thick, stable ice cover (up to 40 cm).
  • Constant wind conditions: The geographical location between the mountains ensures constant and strong winds.
  • Wide, open area: With a length of around 6 kilometres and a width of up to 1 kilometre, the frozen lake offers plenty of space.
  • Spectacular scenery: The church tower jutting out of the ice and the surrounding snow-covered mountain peaks create a unique atmosphere.

Event location & film set

"Reschenseelauf" run in Graun
"Reschenseelauf" run in Graun

Each year, the run is a special experience, each runner should not miss in any case.

Frieder Blickle - Vinschgau Marketing

Lake Reschen is also the venue for the annual Reschensee Race. This sporting event takes runners on an impressive route around the lake and over the imposing dam. The run not only offers a sporting challenge, but also breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscape.

Lake Reschen also served as an impressive film set for the Netflix series “Curon”. The mystical atmosphere of the lake and the iconic bell tower create the perfect backdrop for the exciting plot of the series. This makes Lake Reschen a magnet for film fans and lovers of extraordinary landscapes.

How to get there

St. Valentin auf der Haide
St. Valentin auf der Haide

St. Valentin auf der Haide is part of the City of Graun. The country is situated between Lake Haider and Lake Reschen.

Internet Consulting - Patrick Kammerlander
Winter in St. Valentin auf der Haide
Winter in St. Valentin auf der Haide

Reschenpass holiday region is a paradise for winter sports lovers.

Frieder Blickle - Vinschgau Marketing
Abbey of Marienberg
Abbey of Marienberg

The Abbey of Marienberg are run by the Benedictine monks and is located above Burgeis. The Abbey is the highest Benedictine monastery in Europe.

Internet Consulting - Patrick Kammerlander
Glurns
Glurns

The smallest town of South Tyrol

LianeM / Fotolia.com

Lake Reschen lies close to the border with Austria and Switzerland. You can reach it by car from the north via the Reschen Pass (B180/SS40) and from the south from Bozen via Meran and the Vinschgau Valley.

By public transport, you can take the train to Mals station in Vinschgau and from there take the bus directly to Lake Resia/Reschensee. There are also bus connections from Meran and Schlanders.
Please note the current road conditions in winter and bring winter equipment if necessary.

Other places in the surrounding area

  • Lake Haider: Just a few kilometres south of Lake Reschen lies Lake Haidersee, an idyllic mountain lake at an altitude of around 1,450 metres. It is ideal for hiking, fishing and ice skating in winter.
  • St. Valentin auf der Haide: A charming village in the immediate vicinity of Lake Haider, known as a starting point for numerous outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing.
  • Graun: The village is characterised by its historic town centre and typical South Tyrolean hospitality.
  • Marienberg Monastery: The highest Benedictine monastery in Europe is located above Burgeis and boasts impressive frescoes and architecture.
  • Glurns: The smallest town in South Tyrol is characterised by its fully preserved medieval town walls and picturesque alleyways.
  • Schöneben and Haideralm ski areas: Popular winter sports resorts near Lake Reschen with well-groomed slopes, modern lifts and offers for the whole family.
  • Mals: A historic market town with several medieval towers.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Lake Reschen have no water in 2024?
The water level was drastically lowered from March to June 2024 for safety reasons. The state road and cycle path had to be relocated.

What happened at Lake Reschen?
Around 1950, the villages of Reschen and Graun were flooded to create a reservoir for a hydroelectric power station. More than 150 houses had to give way. They were flooded and the inhabitants were forced to relocate.

What is the name of the sunken town in South Tyrol?
The town is actually a village or two villages. A church tower juts out of Lake Reschen near Graun. Parts of the village of Reschen were also flooded.

Images

Reschen lake
Reschen lake

Graun is known for its old Romanesque chruch tower which rises up from the waters of Reschensee.

Ferienregion Obervinschgau
Bike tour at Lake Reschen
Bike tour at Lake Reschen

The cycle paths in South Tyrol are a paradise for families.

Vinschgau Marketing - PhotoGrünerThomas
Bike tour at Lake Reschen
Bike tour at Lake Reschen

Discover South Tyrol by bike with the whole family

Vinschgau Marketing - PhotoGrünerThomas
Schöneben & Haideralm hiking area
Schöneben & Haideralm hiking area

View of Lake Reschen

Schöneben AG
MTB at Lake Reschen
MTB at Lake Reschen

Dreamlike tour with view of the church tower of Lake Reschen

IDM Südtirol - Kirsten-J. Sörries
Etschtal cycle path
Etschtal cycle path

Cycling in Vinschgau at Lake Reschen

IDM Südtirol - Matt Cherubino
Graun in Vinschgau
Graun in Vinschgau

View from Schöneben to Lake Reschen, Graun and Langtaufers

Ludwig Schöpf
Lake Reschen
Lake Reschen

Frozen Lake Reschen with Mt. Ortler in the background

Ludwig Schöpf
Church tower emerging from Lake Reschen
Church tower emerging from Lake Reschen

In winter, when the lake is frozen and the ice is thick enough, you can walk to the church tower on the ice.

IDM_Vinschgau Marketing - Frieder Blickle
St. Valentin auf der Haide
St. Valentin auf der Haide

St. Valentin auf der Haide is part of the City of Graun. The country is situated between Lake Haider and Lake Reschen.

Internet Consulting - Patrick Kammerlander
Church tower in Lake Reschen
Church tower in Lake Reschen

The church tower of Alt-Graun is still today proof of the village's history and has become the landmark of Reschenpass holiday region.

Frieder Blickle - Vinschgau Marketing
Graun
Graun

Lake Reschen in winter

Kurt Michel / pixelio.de
Graun in Vinschgau
Graun in Vinschgau

Tower in Lake Reschen

berggeist007 / pixelio.de
Graun
Graun

Tower in Lake Reschen

Joujou / pixelio.de
Reschen / Resia
Reschen / Resia

Tower in Lake Reschen / Resia

Joujou / pixelio.de
Reschen
Reschen

Lake Reschen in autumn

hegadex.com / Fotolia.com
Reschen
Reschen

Lake Reschen

LianeM / Fotolia.com

Lakes

Service