In 2021, perhaps the sunken village of Fabbriche di Careggine will be visible again: there is talk of draining the lake of Vagli

It hasn’t happened since 1994: the sunken village of Fabbriche di Careggine, Garfagnana, could become visible again in 2021. In fact, it seems that next year Lake Vagli, or the lake artificially created in 1947 by the SELT Valdarno power company (later acquired by Enel) for the construction of the hydroelectric dam on the Edron stream, will be visible again. Making the announcement is Lorenza Giorgi, daughter of Ilio Domenico, the first citizen of Vagli at the time of the last draining of the lake.Lorenza Giorgi made the announcement on Facebook citing “reliable sources” and writing that Enel has confirmed.

“I hope that next year, on the strength of the past experience of which everyone has beautiful memories and with the help of social networks,” Lorenza Giorgi wrote, “we will be able to repeat and exceed the great success, with just as much prudence. Little has been done for tourism in recent years. Despite the works carried out and the huge expenses, each time the numbers have been inflated in order to get some visibility, this is demonstrated by the fact that many activities have closed and for this I am sorry supra especially for my community to which I am very attached.” Giorgi went on to say that he will let it be known when the exact dates of the emptying, which will be carried out for maintenance work, will be announced.

Enel, for its part, does not yet provide absolute certainty, but opens up the possibility of emptying the lake. In a note, it let it know that a memorandum of understanding is being formalized with the municipality of Vagli Sotto to support the “Being 2020 - Vagli Project,” which aims to enhance tourism in the area. Among the actions to enhance the area, it is also mentioned “a series of activities that, through the possible emptying of the basin, include the implementation of maintenance activities on hydraulic works, environmental interventions with naturalistic engineering works and tourism enhancement projects.”

The village of Fabbriche di Careggine will thus become viable again: founded in the 13th century by some blacksmiths from Brescia, the ghost town was located along the busy communication road that united Massa and Modena, capitals of the neighboring duchies of the Malaspina and Este families (its economy flourished precisely because of its important position, as well as the presence of numerous blacksmith activities that supplied the entire Este duchy). At the time of the dam’s construction, Fabbriche di Careggine had already experienced depopulation for several decades and had only 146 inhabitants, all of whom had moved to Vagli to the new houses built especially for them. The village was thus submerged: when it will be possible to go back through its alleys, it will be possible to see the few stone houses, and the church of San Teodoro, with a single nave and which had some frescoes (the bell tower and dome are still easily distinguishable).

If there is official confirmation, the one in 2021 will be the fifth draining of Lake Vagli: it was originally scheduled every ten years, but in reality the basin has been drained only four times, in 1958, 1974, 1983, and 1994. In addition, those arriving in 2021 in this corner of Garfagnana will also be able to see Fabbriche di Careggine from the new Tibetan bridge made of wood and steel that crosses the lake and was inaugurated in the summer of 2016.

In short, it would seem that everything is ready for the emptying and resurfacing of the hamlet: we will see what Enel will decide.

Pictured: the hamlet of Fabbriche di Careggine in the last draining of Lake Vagli in 1994.

In 2021, perhaps the sunken village of Fabbriche di Careggine will be visible again: there is talk of draining the lake of Vagli

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