Reschensee (Lago Di Resia): A Submerged Bell Tower in Italy

Reschensee is an artificial lake nestled in the Italian Venosta Valley and part of the South Tyrol, Italy region. The lake also goes by the name of Lago di Resia and Lake Reschen. In comparison to the hundreds of natural Alpine lakes in the same area, Reschensee’s highlight is not the lake itself. Instead, one of Europe’s most unique attractions is located in Lago di Resia and has recently attracted travellers from all over the world.

Campanile Di Curon is a 14th century submerged church in the middle of Lake Reschen and truly amazing to witness in person. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Reschensee, its ravishing surroundings and its spectacular landmark.

Where Is Lago Di Resia Located?

Lago di Resia is located in Italy. Why is it also called Reschensee? Reschensee is the German name for the lake and its close proximity to Austria explains why the lake goes by two names. The Austrian border is just under 3 km from the main town of Reschen am See which sits at the north end of the lake.

Reschensee is situated in the municipality of Resia. Stationed on the far west of the region, it is part of the South Tyrol province. Lago di Resia is not only a gem of Italy’s Venosta Valley but has rapidly become a destination point for those visiting the nearby Swiss Alps, Italian Alps and even the Dolomites.

Given its unique location and closeness to other countries, you’ll find a prominent German, Austrian and Swiss influence on the area. If you’ve travelled to other parts of Italy, you will understand that you will not experience typical Italian culture in the Reschensee area. Traditions, architecture, language and food will be that of Südtirol (South Tyrol).

When Is the Best Time to Visit Reschensee?

Visiting Reschensee can be enjoyable year round, similar to the rest of the Alps. Depending on what you are most interested in seeing or doing apart from visiting the lake, you should choose to either visit in the summer or winter.

→ 🛫 Browse flights to Innsbruck for summer or winter ←

Sunny Lago di Resia in Summer

Summer time is clearly the best time to visit if you are keen on water sports, particularly kite surfing. The town caters to tourists specifically coming to Reschensee for wind and kite surfing. If you’re not a doer, it’s still very interesting to watch all the action from one of the restaurant terraces lining the lake.

Tourist boat cruises and pedal boats are also available for rent which are both fun activities for families with kids. The perimeter of Reschensee is bordered by a superb walkway, ideal for jogging, walking with a stroller or cycling. South Tyrol’s comfortable summer temperatures means you can agreeably spend all day outdoors without melting in the sun. Tons of hiking trails are also within arm’s reach of Resia, making it a centrally located place to stay if mountaineering is on your South Tyrol agenda.

Frozen Reschensee in Winter

Winter brings a compelling atmosphere to Reschensee and is also a fabulous time to visit. One of the key components about a successful winter trip are frozen temperatures. We understand this doesn’t sound too pleasant but believe us, enduring the cold is worth witnessing Lago di Resia completely frozen over.

The famed Bell Tower of Curon is accessible on foot when Reschensee is frozen solid. If you’re interested in seeing the submerged church up close, this is the best way to do so. Aside from the Curon tower, there are other benefits to visiting Lake Reschen in winter.

Athletes that occupy the lake in the winter take the term “water sports” to another level. We were lucky enough to come during a session of ice boat sailing which we’ve never seen before and was truly entertaining to watch. If you bring your own skates, you can also skate freely on the frozen lake, at your own risk of course.

Skiing, the more obvious activity to enjoy in the winter, is available directly from Lake Reschen. On the western shoreline is the starting point of Belpiano, a popular ski resort in the Val Venosta area.

History of the Submerged Church Tower in Reschensee

One of the first things you may be asking yourself is “Why is there a church tower submerged in the lake in the first place?” It’s a great question but holds a rather cheerless answer. Campanile Di Curon (or Bell Tower of Curon) is the tip of a medieval church which was left to be flooded on purpose, but not to be destroyed completely.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the now obliterated Curon village which was sentenced to be doomed by government orders in 1950. In order to join two lakes and make up the man made reservoir of modern day Reschensee, the original village of Curon was completely submerged. Now left behind is a glimpse of the Romanesque tower to withstand the test of time.

How to Get to Reschensee

Flying

There is no easy option for flying directly into the Resia municipality but there are still a handful of airport options nearby. Some are closer to Reschensee than others but there are essentially four airports suitable for flying into.

Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Munich International Airport (MUC)
Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Bolzano Airport (BZO)

The airports of Innsbruck and Bolzano are the closest to Reschensee and will take around 1.5 – 2 hours to reach by car. Both of these airports are comparatively small so the range of flight routes will be slimmer. For the best chance at finding a flight that best suits your travel dates and budget, flying into Zurich or Munich is better. However, both Zurich and Munich are over three hours away by driving.

→ ✈️ Find flights to Innsbruck ←

Train & Bus

The Val Venosta Train (also known as Vinschgerbahn) is a local train which runs frequently between Merano and Malles. Although it’s a beautiful journey, the train’s practicality isn’t ideal for reaching Reschensee from many departing locations. If you are travelling from Bolzano, utilising the Val Venosta train is doable by catching it in Merano, after taking a train from Bolzano to Merano. In Merano, you must take a bus (line 273) to Curon Lago which will drop you off directly at Lake Reschen. 

From Innsbruck, it’s possible to take a train from the main station and get off in Landeck-Zams. Two bus rides (line 210 and line 273) later will get you to Reschensee. 

The journey is similar coming from Zurich as taking a train is only possible up until Scuol-Tarasp station. From Scuol-Tarasp, the 921 line and then the 273 line will lead you to Lago di Resia.

→ 🚊 Find train tickets to Bolzano ←

Driving

Getting to Reschensee by car is by far the most direct and quickest method. The only thing you’ll have to be mindful of is crossing borders, maybe even a few times. Since you’re travelling within the Schengen zone, state borders are not typically monitored and you should not experience any traffic.

There are two entry points for driving into Lago di Resia, either from the north or south end of the lake. Visitor travelling from Germany, Austria or Switzerland are likely to come in from the north and through the town of Reschen am See, where a majority of the area’s hotels are. 

Anyone driving from Switzerland will have to first cross the Austrian border and then enter the Italian border on the SS40. The most efficient route from the south entrance point is from the direction of Bolzano. Every major road near Reschensee is paved, well maintained and super accessible for all types of cars. 

The best way to tour Lago di Resia is by car. If you do not have your own, consider picking up a rental car from the airport you’re flying into.

→ 🚗 Find an inexpensive rental car ←

Practical Information About Visiting Lake Reschen

Where to Park

Unlike many attractions in old Europe, Reschensee is prepared to accommodate a large number of visitors. Usually, one of the biggest fears or unknowns about driving in Europe is parking, especially if you’re driving anything bigger than a Fiat 500. Luckily, Lago di Resia is equipped with a couple of parking lots within an ear shot of the Campanile Di Curon. 

The closest parking lot is located here and costs €2 per hour. However, if you visit in low season, it’s possible to get away with parking here for free as long as it’s not overnight. If this first parking lot is full, you can try here and walk towards the Curon tower in five minutes. Parking in the main town of Reschen am See is also a great idea. This will allow you to take a lovely promenade stroll down the lake.

Border Crossing

Reschensee is closely located to a tripoint, or tri-border area. It is even possible to hike to the exact position where the borders of Switzerland, Austria and Italy meet here. All three countries are Schengen Area countries which means free movement between them is permitted. Even though the official borders are open, accessible and not monitored, it’s not unusual to see police operated traffic stops or checkpoints. These are technically “random” but they typically occur near borders. It’s advised that you keep your passport and documents on hand when driving, just in case.

How Long to Stay

If your primary goal is to see the wondrous Bell Tower of Curon while visiting Reschensee, you can plan on staying for at least one hour. Since the Curon tower is so easily accessible by driving, it’s the perfect itinerary item on an Alps road trip. For an entire morning or afternoon spent at Lago di Resia, you can park in Reschen am See and wander around the small town or paths nearby. The relaxing walk from Reschen am See to Curon Venosta takes about 30 minutes and includes extraordinary views. It is also possible to grab a coffee, beer or lunch in either town.

→ 🛌 Stay longer and spend the night in Reschensee ←

What to Pack

Hiking Shoes – For anyone looking to spend time on the many hiking paths near Reschensee, a solid pair of hiking shoes is a must. You can trek up or take the cable car to Belpiano for summer hiking.

Pocket Binoculars – A must for a visit to the Alps or any road trip for that matter! Binoculars are not only great for wildlife sightings but also to see the peaks of the mountains around.

Camera or Phone Tripod – If you visit during off season, there may not be others around to take a picture of you in front of Curon tower. Don’t risk a missed opportunity and come prepared to take many photos.

More Places to See Near Reschensee

Whether you’re staying in Reschensee or passing through on a road trip, there are a handful of places worth stopping by within a hour’s drive. Lake Reschen is immaculately located between famous regions such as the Swiss Alps and the Dolomites which means there’s no shortage of things to see.

Guarda

Travel time: 1 hour drive from Reschensee

The quaint yet idyllic village in Guarda sits tucked away in Switzerland‘s Engadine region. Guarda’s historic old settlement is so well preserved that it’s even award winning. For a quick step into a fairytale, check out Guarda and witness the perfectly painted facades, distinct traditional architecture and stunning views for yourself.

Top of Haideralm

Travel time: Less than 10 minutes from Reschensee

It is technically possible to reach the top of Haideralm by car in the summer but taking the cable car is just as convenient. Aside from the terrific hiking paths available once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with a sensational panoramic view. There’s no better spot for lunch than out on the terrace of Restaurant Haideralm with the mountain range beaming in the background.

It’s highly recommended to only visit the top of Haideralm on a clear day. To confirm weather beforehand, reference a Reschensee webcam such as one of these.

Festung Nauders

Travel time: 15 minute drive from Reschensee

Sitting casually on the side of Reschenstraße, the major motorway leading to Reschensee, is the historic fortress of Feasting Nauders. It is an intimidating 5-story tall stone structure, originally built in the mid 1800s. For any history fanatics, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the well preserved bunker and its impressive demeanor. During summer months, guided tours are available on Wednesday and Sunday from 3pm.

Stelvio Pass

Travel time: 1 hour drive from Reschensee

Driving enthusiast will rejoice for a chance to visit the epic Stelvio Pass. The iconic curvy pass with its numerous hairpins is only one hour from Reschensee. With nearly 2,800 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest paved touring routes in the Alps. You do not have to be an avid driver to enjoy the never ending sweeping views on one of the best driving roads in Europe.

→ Read More: The Ultimate Bavarian Road Trip (Deutsche Alpenstraße) ←

Where to Stay Near Lago di Resia

Hotels, Apartments & Guest Houses

💰💰💰💰 Hotel Schloesschen am See – Book with Booking.com

💰💰💰 Eden Adults Only Hotel, Reschen am See – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

💰💰💰 Lacumontes Lake View Apartments – Book with Booking.com

💰💰💰 Hotel Goldener Adler – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

💰💰 Appartement Prieth – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

💰💰 Hotel Theiner – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

💰💰 Hotel Hofer – Book with Booking.com

Camping in Reschensee

Camping Thöni

Address: Landstraße, 83, 39027 San Valentino Alla Muta BZ

Camping Zum See

Address: Via Chiesa, 25, 39027 San Valentino Alla Muta BZ

Alpen Camping Nauders

Address: Bundesstraße 247, 6543 Nauders, Tirol/Österreich

Travel Resources for Visiting Reschensee

TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

FLIGHTS: CheapOair or Agoda

CAR RENTALS: Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Hostelworld or Trivago

ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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