There are all sorts of curiosities lying at the bottom of Bavaria’s lakes, from VW Beetles to airplanes. But for an entire village to be submerged is quite a rarity. Yet that is exactly the case at the Sylvenstein Reservoir near Lenggries. Here, we’ll tell you what the story is, when you can catch a glimpse of the village, and what else there is to experience around Lake Sylvenstein.
The Village in the Lake
The Sylvenstein Reservoir was built in the 1950s as a reservoir to regulate the water level of the Isar, with a capacity of up to 124 million cubic meters of water . It serves to prevent flooding and to supply the Isar with sufficient water during dry periods.
Before the lake was built, the small village of Fall, with its pretty wooden houses and village chapel, was located in the Isarwinkel. To build the Sylvenstein Reservoir, it was necessary to relocate the village and resettle its residents. So Old Fall was torn down and rebuilt 100 meters further up, above the future lake, as New Fall. The old settlement was flooded and disappeared into the lake.
Normally, Alt-Fall is completely hidden beneath the lake, but after long dry spells or when the water level drops, you can see the remains of the walls. According to legend, you can even see the top of the church tower, and sometimes you can hear the bells ringing. In reality, however, the tower no longer exists, as it was demolished. Since 1957, an impressive road bridge has led from Neu-Fall across the Sylvenstein Reservoir to the dam.
Sylvenstein Reservoir Recreation Area
With its scenic setting and elongated shape, Lake Sylvenstein is reminiscent of a fjord. Numerous natural and architectural highlights await you along its shores, making it a popular destination for day trips. As mentioned earlier, the Faller Bridge rises impressively from the water and leads you to the reservoir’s dam. From here, you’ll have a fabulous view of the sparkling water and the mountain panorama.
In general, the Sylvenstein Reservoir is ideal for hiking or biking. For example, you can visit the Schürpfen Waterfall and continue from there to the Ausgangskatarakt. From here, you can enter the gorge or climb up to the bridge and watch the Dürrach River flow. If you’re looking to cool off, you can go swimming in the Sylvenstein Reservoir. The water temperature is usually below 20°C, so it’s on the cooler side. So if you’re not a fan of ice swimming, just dip your feet in the water instead.
