Since this year Herzegovina experienced several tremendous droughts, the water level of the local lakes has drastically dropped. This is especially evident on the accumulation lakes that emerged in the last century, and one of them, Lake Bilece, has revealed a secret that has been kept for almost 50 years.
Namely, when the water withdrew, the houses, wells and yards of the village that once existed there but was submerged in order to build a reservoir lake, could be seen.
The inhabitants of parts of villages that were not submerged are not at all comfortable to see the houses, cemeteries and churches “sprouting” from the water and older residents remember the inhabitants of the submerged village and the arrangement of houses and other facilities. Due to the construction of a dam and lake, villagers had to leave their homes forever and go to replacement homes and apartments.
Several former inhabitants of the submerged lakes were also reported to have been very disturbed by the scene, as many said they left their homes only when their water reached their knees.
This is the second case this year in Herzegovina that the remains of houses were brought up after several decades. In February this year, Lake Ram also had the lowest water level ever and the remains of the village of Kopcici, which was flooded in the same way as the village near Bileca, emerged from the lake.
Houses and wells were excavated from the lake, but also graves and human remains and objects for the village inhabitants.
There are several similar lakes in Herzegovina. In the last century, dams and accumulation lakes were built for the needs of hydroelectric power plants and each artificial lake covers one story of submerged villages that this year saw briefly the light of day.
(Source: Fokus.ba)
