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This sunken Italian village might be about to resurface

A man-made lake could be drained to reveal the lost village of Fabbriche di Careggine in Tuscany – and you’ll be able to visit

Ellie Walker-Arnott
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After months of lockdown, Italy is almost ready to reemerge as one of the world’s fave travel destinations – and there might even be a brand new, otherworldly attraction to visit, too. 

Fabbriche di Careggine is a medieval village in Tuscany, or, more accurately, it was. The tiny village, which dates back to the thirteenth century, was turned into a ghost town in 1947 when a dam was erected on a local river and the village was entirely submerged. It now sits beneath the man-made Lake Vagli. 

Lake Vagli
Photograph: Shutterstock

The village has reappeared from its watery home a couple of times since, when the lake has been drained, most recently in 1994. But, according to Lonely Planet, the ruins are set to resurface again soon as part of a plan to boost tourism in the area.

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If it does reemerge, visitors will be able to walk around the long abandoned streets of Fabbriche di Careggine, which usually sit at the bottom of the lake.

Last time it happened, thousands of people descended on the surreal sight, and we can see why. Sure, after months of our actual cities being totally deserted, we can’t wait for things to feel busy and bustling again, but there is something very appealing about this romantic kind of ghost town. 

There are no confirmed dates for the lake to be drained yet, but you can find out more here

Can’t wait to get back to Italy? Here’s when the country is reopening to tourists.  

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