500-year-old church emerges from Mexican lake due to drought

Mexico's 16th-century Santiago Apostle Church, submerged in a dam project 49 years ago, has resurfaced after a severe drought, attracting many visitors.

500-year-old church emerges from Mexican lake due to drought

The Apostle Santiago Church in the middle of a reservoir. Video : AFP

The Santiago Apostle Church in Quechula, in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, was almost completely submerged in 1966 when a hydroelectric dam was built on a nearby tributary of the Grijalva River. Between 1,000 and 2,000 indigenous people living in Quechula were displaced when their homes were flooded.

However, the 15-meter-high church has emerged in recent weeks from the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir, AFP reported on June 18. The heat and lack of rain in the area have caused the reservoir to drop in water levels, exposing the entire structure. Tourists can even visit the church by car and motorbike.

The church was built by members of the Dominican Order (DO) in the 16th century when Mexico was under Spanish colonial rule. One of the major religious orders of the Roman Catholic Church, the DO were founded in France in 1215 to preach the gospel.

Low water levels in the lake are affecting local tilapia farmers. According to farmer Darinel Gutiérrez, about five months ago, the water levels began to drop significantly below normal levels. Due to the effects of climate change, the heat has killed many fish, affecting people's income. At least eight people have died due to the hot weather in Mexico in recent times.

This is not the first time the church has reappeared. The last time was in 2022 when the entire 60-meter-long structure emerged from the water.

An Khang (According to Newsweek )

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