The tower in the lake
The upper Vinschgau was already in the last century with its three nature lakes a secret - tip for vacation. But in the year 1920 the Italian government planned an artificial lake for the production of electric power and gave a concession for the rise of the water level by 5 meters. The extent of such congestion would not have been very disturbing, since it would not have endangered the places Graun and Reschen. Interrupted of fascism in Italy, in the1939 the large concern "Montecatini" submitted a project, to back-ups the Reschen and Graunersee by 22 meters.
The population of Reschen and Graun was completely ignored thereby. The broken out Second World War retarded then the building project, which already has begun. The inhabitants of the upper Vinschgaues believed to have lost this fright ghost. But to the regret of the inhabitants, 1947 only two years after end of war, the concern Montecatini has immediately taken up the work on the pilot project. The population from Graun and Reschen, in front of everyone priest Alfred Rieper, tried to prevent the building over a political intervention. A discussion with the Holy Father in Rome was without result, like a rebellion in front of the office of the company Montecatini in Reschen. Despaired the population had to watch how inconsiderate they were driven out from their houses and yards.
1950 the air locks were closed and the lake was accumulated. 677 hectares ground and soil were flooded; almost 150 families were robbed of their existence, and forced half of it to the emigration. The remunerations were very modest. The inhabitants of Graun have been provisional accommodated into a barrack camp at the exit of the valley of Langtaufers. The sight was terrible, as the company began to destroy houses, churches and the entire cultural property. Only the tower, which stands under monument protection, they left untouched.
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