What It's Like to Dive Norway's Hauntingly Preserved Underwater Village
Not far beneath the surface of Lake Lygnstøylsvatnet lies a scene frozen in time: a collection of bare apple trees reach toward the surface, stone fences guard against enemies long forgotten, and farm roads lead to nowhere.
READ MORE: The Best Dive Sites with Man-Made Structures
This dive site near Norway’s west coast is an Atlantis of sorts, but with less flourish and more country charm. About 30 feet below the surface, divers can find the remains of a small community that was trapped in time by a natural disaster.
“As I descended, I was immediately filled with joy as I could confirm that the viz was excellent, and I could see the old farms and the fences,” says Norwegian underwater photographer Lars Korvald. “I knew right away that this was going to be a dive to remember.”
Before 1908, this scenic valley at an altitude of nearly 500 feet was home to a small town with a river flowing through. But it met its watery fate after a rock slide from nearby Mount Keipen dammed the river Lygna, bringing the water level higher and higher, and forcing the residents to evacuate. Now, nine farm buildings, a bridge, a road, fences and trees are trapped underwater, creating a chance for divers to fin through time and explore the peaceful site.
Lars KorvaldA layer of algae covers the bottom of Lake Lygnstøylsvatnet and its bare trees in late summer.
“It must be that you are stepping back more than 100 years in time. Except for the water, the area is totally untouched; it’s a unique feeling,” says Korvald. “There are several interesting things about the dive: You could swim under the old bridges, swim through the old troll forest, as it is called, look at the big rocks from the landslide, or off-course see the remains of the old farms.”
The site is no mystery. It’s well-known for divers in Norway who are willing to find the remote location, plunge into water in the 40s and enjoy the 70 foot visibility. Besides an interesting glimpse into history, the dive site also offers excellent opportunities for underwater photography thanks to its shallow position and clear visibility, and the chance for freedivers to snorkel around and take in the view for themselves.
