Stunning Colonial Church Rises from Mexican Reservoir as Water Level Falls

Sinking water levels in one of Mexico’s largest rivers has resulted in the emergence of an ancient church that dates back to the first half of the 16th century, The Independent reported.

Local fishermen along the Grijalva river, which feeds the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, have seized the opportunity to make a little extra money, and have been ferrying curious passengers to the ruins of the colonial-era church.

#Mexico Drought: Colonial Era Church Surfaces As Drought Lowers #Water Levels http://t.co/NJA745pnqq #climate pic.twitter.com/G7biN1c5yi

— Assaad Razzouk (@AssaadRazzouk) October 17, 2015

It's not the first time a drop in the reservoir revealed the church; record low water levels unveiled it in 2002. The temple was founded by Spanish colonizers during the reign of Charles V, and was in public use until the 20th century, when a dam was built near it in 1966, and the surrounding area went under water.

"The people celebrated. They came to eat, to hang out, to do business. I sold them fried fish. They did processions around the church," a fisherman told the Associated Press on Friday.

The church 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 ground.