Church In Resevoir: 400-Year-Old Building Emerged Due To Drought In Mexico

A 400-year-old colonial-like church was revealed in the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir in Mexico, after the reservoir experienced significant drought-like conditions, according to the Associated Press.

Due to extreme drought in the area, the water levels in the Grijalva River had declined, which dropped the water level in the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir by 25 meters (82 feet).

This is the second instance where the water level dropped in the reservoir and the church emerged since the Grijalva River was dammed in 1966. In 2002, the water level was low enough for visitors to walk inside the church, according to the AP.

The church's structure is 61 meters (183 feet) long and 14 meters (42 feet) wide, with walls rising 10 meters (30 feet). The bell tower reaches 16 meters (48 feet) above the ground.

The church was built by a group of Dominican monks who were headed by Bartolome de la Casas. The church was located in Quechula, a small town which was envisioned to become a large community, however, due to a devastating plague outbreak, it was abandoned. 

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