Graun im Vinschgau: History on Lake Reschen

In Graun im Vinschgau, local history, historical traces connected with Lake Reschen and various activities come together. The following topics differ in their historical and seasonal context.

Lake Reschen and the history of Curon

Curon lies directly on the shore of Lake Reschen. The Romanesque bell tower, dating from 1357, rises from the water. It is the only visible remnant of the villages of Graun and Reschen, which were completely submerged in 1950 when the lake was dammed. The tower thus links architectural history with the memory of the transformation of the two villages.

The two dates mark different milestones: 1357 dates the bell tower, while 1950 marks the complete flooding of the villages. This structure brings together a medieval origin and a profound change in the settlement landscape. Anyone exploring the history of Lake Reschen can therefore view the tower both as a historic structure and as a visible trace of local history.

Chiesetta di Sant’Anna and the Museo dell’Alta Val Venosta

Another historic landmark is the Chiesetta di Sant’Anna. The church stands on a hill overlooking Lake Reschen and was consecrated in 1521 in the late Gothic style. On its exterior is a fresco depicting Saint George, created around 1600. The year of consecration and the date of the fresco refer to different features of the church; the two dates are about eight decades apart. This makes it possible to distinguish the late Gothic classification from the later image.

The Museo dell’Alta Val Venosta preserves 3D models of the old village, objects from Curon Vecchia, historic works of art, and photographic documentation of the disappearance and rebuilding of the flooded village. The collection thus complements the single visible bell tower with a range of historical evidence: models, objects and photographs offer insights into the old village and its transformation. The two perspectives are clearly distinct: one is a visible architectural remnant, while the other is a collection documenting the village’s disappearance and rebuilding.

Cycling route, snowkiting and stand-up paddling

Curon lies directly on the Via Claudia Augusta cycling route, providing a specific route connection for a cycling trip. Snowkiting is a winter activity at Curon’s kitesurfing spot. Stand-up paddling is also offered around Curon’s historic bell tower. Conditions on the lake for this activity may vary depending on the season and time of day. If SUP is to be a fixed part of your plans, it is advisable to check conditions for your intended time.

The three activities involve different planning considerations: the Via Claudia Augusta is defined by its route, snowkiting by its winter character, and stand-up paddling by the variable conditions on the lake. The activities therefore cannot be reduced to a single seasonal framework.

Choose the reason for your trip before searching for hotels

If you are interested in local history, distinguish between the bell tower as a visible relic, the church with its fresco, and the museum’s collection. For a trip focused on activities, the direct route connection of the Via Claudia Augusta, winter snowkiting, and the variable conditions for stand-up paddling are each distinct considerations. This can help you decide which aspects matter most before choosing a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Goldrain, Schlanders, Laas, Kastelbell-Tschars, Burgeis, Taufers im Münstertal, Morter, Prad am Stilfserjoch

For the broader travel overview: Vinschgau.