Hungarian Atlantis: the secret of the ghost lake Bokodi (15 photos + 1 video)

Imagine a place where houses float above the water, and in winter, instead of snow, there are only clouds of fog obscuring the wooden walkways.





These aren't scenes from a new fantasy series, but the harsh reality of the Hungarian countryside. Meet the floating houses on Lake Bokody.



This man-made reservoir was created in 1961 thanks to the engineering genius of the Oroszlány power company. By flooding a low-lying meadow near the power plant, they created a giant radiator.





The operating principle was simple and ingenious. The station took in cold water to cool the turbines and released it back heated. The water circulated constantly, and even in the bitterest cold, the lake never froze.



In these greenhouse conditions, fish thrived year-round, and the lake became a true fisherman's paradise. Local residents and station workers began building small wooden houses on stilts. Unsteady wooden walkways led to them, creating the illusion of a street suspended over the abyss.



For a long time, this was a secluded spot, known only to regulars with fishing rods. But in November 2013, a photo of these picturesque ruins made it to the search engine's front page.



The internet exploded, and tourists and photographers flocked to the remote village of Bokod to see the Hungarian Bora Bora or the local Atlantis.



In 2015, the power plant that served as the heart and source of heat for this place closed. Artificial heating of the lake was no longer available. Now it freezes over just like other bodies of water.



This tourist paradise expected some negative effects, but nature and enthusiasts are taking over.



The houses, most of which are privately owned, still stand. However, today, tourists strolling along the shore more often encounter "No Trespassing" signs and rusty locks on the gates leading to the water.



The atmosphere, with its hint of abandonment and industrial romance, has made this place even more popular among fans of stalker tourism and forgotten locations.



Now Lake Bokodi is more of a quiet, meditative haven, where instead of steam from the warm water, you'll see perfect reflections of old houses in the cold surface, reminiscent of the former greatness of human ingenuity.



Today, the houses on Lake Bokodi remain the private property of local residents, who use them as summer cottages or fishing lodges, despite the now cold winters.



Although the tourist boom waned after the power plant's closure, this place continues to enjoy a new life. Photographers from all over the world come here to capture the fading beauty and mirror-like landscapes, now visible only in calm weather.