Berich, Abandoned village in Edertal, Germany
Berich is an abandoned village in Edertal, Germany, now submerged under the Edersee reservoir. The site consists of low stone foundation walls that outline the former houses and streets, visible only when water levels drop.
Berich originated as a nunnery founded in the 13th century, which was dissolved in 1566 after the Reformation. In 1753 it became a village for ten settler families, and in 1914 it was submerged by the Edersee reservoir.
The village church, dedicated to Saint John, was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt in Neu-Berich, where it still serves the community. The old cemetery, now covered with concrete slabs, can be walked on when the water is low, offering a link to the past.
The remains are best seen during periods of low water, when the foundations and the old bridge emerge. Access is uneven and the ground can be muddy, so wear sturdy shoes and check local water levels before planning a visit.
A scale model of the Edersee dam, built during construction to test water flow, still lies near the old ironworks and occasionally appears when the water is low. The old Eder riverbed lies 5 meters deeper than the submerged bridge, adding to the hidden landscape.
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