Someday, if humanity dies out from drought, the last years of life on Earth will be at least spectacular and full of discoveries. For example, the kind discovered in Mexico thanks to the shallowing of a reservoir. In the town of Nezahualcoyotl in Chiapas, a 16th century Catholic church, known as the Shrine of Santiago, stands at the bottom of one of the exposed reservoirs.
Although the temple had previously exposed its top due to a drop in the water level, this year it “surfaced” completely. The walls of the temple rise to a height of 9 meters, its length is 156 meters, width is 13, and the bell tower reaches a height of almost 15 meters.
History of the creation and flooding of the temple
A group of monks built the church in the mid-16th century and it stood in its place for 300 years until it was flooded in 1966. However, it was abandoned even earlier, in 1773-1776, because of major plague epidemics. In spite of this, the arches of the temple have preserved the smallest details, and the handmade ornaments and bricks can be discerned on them.
Causes of the flooding of the temple
The main reason for the flooding was the construction of a hydropower plant on the river Grijalva. The construction caused the water level in the river to rise and the surrounding areas to be flooded. The temple of Santiago was under water.
Restoration of the temple
Since the temple was flooded, it remained under water until this year. But thanks to the shallowing of the reservoir, the Temple of Santiago has resurfaced. Now locals and tourists enjoy visiting this unique place.
However, according to experts, the temple is in need of serious restoration. Water has caused serious damage to the walls and brickwork. Despite this, the local authorities have not yet taken measures to preserve this unique monument of architecture.
Mexico and the drought
Mexico has been suffering from a critical drought for months now, leading to a shortage of water. However, the exposure of the Temple of Santiago proves that the drought can also lead to unexpected discoveries.
Conclusion
The Temple of Santiago out of the water is a unique discovery that has attracted the attention of tourists and explorers from all over the world. However, it needs serious restoration to preserve its beauty and historical value. The drought in Mexico leads to a shortage of water, but it can also lead to unexpected discoveries and offer unique opportunities for scientific research.
