Vajont Dam, Arch dam in Erto e Casso, Italy
Vajont Dam is a decommissioned arch dam in Erto e Casso, northeastern Italy, rising roughly 262 meters (860 feet) above the valley floor. The slender concrete structure curves between steep limestone cliffs and is no longer used for water storage.
The facility was completed in the early 1960s to generate hydroelectric power for the region. In October 1963, a massive rockslide from Monte Toc triggered a wave that overtopped the wall and destroyed several villages downstream.
Locals use this site to remember those who were lost and to reflect on the limits of human ambition when working with nature. Families from nearby valleys visit to honor the memory of their relatives and to share these lessons with younger generations.
Visits take place from spring to autumn with guided walks that explain the engineering and events. Access involves narrow paths along the rock faces, so sturdy shoes and a reasonable level of confidence on uneven ground are recommended.
The concrete wall itself remained almost undamaged despite the enormous forces released during the catastrophe. Geologists continue to study the surrounding slopes to understand how hillside movements interact with human structures.
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