A Quiet Moment in the Heart of London

 

London is a city that never stops – full of movement, noise, and stories unfolding on every street corner. But sometimes, the most memorable moments are found in the unexpected quiet. This is the story of how a spontaneous detour, a geocaching challenge, and an open cathedral door gave me a moment of peace I didn’t know I needed.

A City of Stories

Walking around London is an experience in itself. A city full of impressions – people in every direction. Some rush past with determined looks, others pause to study a building or snap a selfie in front of a famous monument. Sometimes I like to sit down at a sidewalk café and simply observe. Watch the people passing by. Each with their own little story.

Breaking Away from the Noise

After a full day of city noise and sensory overload, the rest of the family wanted to check out a nearby shopping mall before we headed to Buckingham Palace. I, on the other hand, felt like breaking away for a bit to find some geocaches in the area. There were a few interesting ones nearby – easy enough to log, but well-placed and enjoyable.

An Unexpected Destination

In the end, one remained: an Earthcache at Westminster Cathedral. To log it, I had to go inside the cathedral. I felt a certain reverence – this was not just any building. Could I enter without disturbing anyone? Without becoming a disruptive tourist in a space still very much sacred?

Westminster Cathedral: A Hidden Gem

Westminster Cathedral – not to be confused with the more famous Westminster Abbey – is the main Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. It was completed in 1903 and built in Byzantine style, with red brick and striking white stone banding. It’s one of the largest Catholic churches in Britain and remains an active place of worship, with several daily Masses.

Stillness in the City

It turned out to be a very good decision to go in. Perhaps the finest moment of the entire trip. Right there, in the heart of London’s buzzing centre, I found a calm I hadn’t felt in months. A quiet oasis, with high ceilings and hushed reverence. I sat for a little while, lost in my own thoughts, letting the stillness sink in. It felt as if time itself had slowed down.

Logging the Cache

But then there was the cache task, of course. To log the find, I needed to determine the height of the altar. I couldn’t exactly go running around with a measuring tape in an active cathedral. Luckily, I had a measuring app on my phone. With a discreet glance around and a subtle shift in position, I managed to get a reading – at least approximately.

A small moment of stillness and technology in perfect harmony. And with that, I could log the find and move on. But the calm I found inside the cathedral stayed with me, echoing quietly as I stepped back into London’s busy streets.

A Lasting Impression

That moment has stayed with me. It changed something. I think I’ll be seeking out more churches and cathedrals in the future. Who knows – maybe slipping away from reality now and then, just sitting in the silence with my own thoughts, can help ease the stress of everyday life. A breath of peace, asking nothing more than for you to sit down and simply be present.

The Sunken Tower of Reschensee – A Hidden Story Above the Surface

A Tower Rising from the Deep

In the serene, emerald waters of Lake Resia (Reschensee), tucked away in the South Tyrolean Alps near the borders of Austria and Switzerland, a lonely stone tower rises out of the lake. It’s not just a scenic oddity — it’s the last visible remnant of the village of Curon (Graun), a community that was quite literally drowned in the name of progress.

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A Personal Visit in September 2023

I had the chance to visit this hauntingly beautiful place in September 2023, during a road trip to a Geocaching Megaevent in Austria. Standing by the lake, seeing the 14th-century church tower piercing the water’s surface, was an experience I won’t soon forget. It's striking how this single structure has been preserved while everything else disappeared beneath the waves — and it’s visible from nearly every angle of the surrounding area.

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Caching by the Lake and the Hills

Naturally, I couldn’t resist checking out a few geocaches in the area. One was placed conveniently near the lake, while another required a short uphill hike to a lovely little chapel overlooking the valley. The views were well worth the extra effort — and added an extra layer of meaning to the day.

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The Tragic History Beneath the Surface

The backstory, though, is sobering. In 1950, the valley was intentionally flooded to create a reservoir for hydroelectric power. Over 150 families were displaced, and more than 160 homes and buildings were demolished. Everything was cleared away — except the iconic church tower, which was left standing as a stark reminder of what once was.

It’s a powerful example of how energy production, even today, often comes with difficult trade-offs for both people and the environment.

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Legends, Ice, and Echoes from the Past

In winter, when the lake freezes over, you can actually walk out to the tower on foot. And according to local legend, the bells — long removed — can still be heard ringing from beneath the ice.

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When the Village Resurfaced

In 2021, during maintenance work, the lake was partially drained — and for the first time in over 70 years, the ruins of the original village reappeared. Old walls, cellars, and staircases emerged from the depths, offering a rare and moving glimpse into a world that vanished.

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A Landmark of Loss and Endurance

Today, the tower has become a symbol — not only of loss, but also of endurance. It’s a favorite photo spot for travelers and a must-see waypoint for any geocacher passing through the region. It’s even been featured in the eerie Netflix series “Curon”, which blends real history with supernatural mystery.