Shettihalli Church

Located at a distance of 22 km from Hassan in Karnataka in the small district of Shettihalli, Shettihalli Church is an ancient catholic church built in the 1860s by the French missionaries. Boasting of magnificent Gothic architecture, Shettihalli Church was abandoned in 1960 and is currently in ruins. The uniqueness about the church is that it gets submerged in water every monsoon and for the same reason, the ruined church has become a popular tourist attraction in the region. Standing tall in the middle of barren fields, the church doesn’t have a roof and echoes with the silence of the surroundings and the chirping of the birds. 

Also known as ‘The Floating Church’ and ‘The Submerged Church’, Shettihalli Church started getting submerged in water during the 1960s when the Gorur Reservoir was built to redirect the waters of the Hemavathi River. Along with the Shettihalli Church, a number of villages were also submerged and although the people were relocated, the church was abandoned. Lately, the place is turning out to be a popular picnic spot. As more and more people are getting to know about the beautiful architectural wonder, several tourists flock here to spend some quality time with family and friends. However, do not forget to carry your own food and beverages as there are no shops or eateries in the near vicinity, as far as the eye can see.