Stock Photo - On August 10, 2015, for the first time in many years the submerged “Church of St. Ivan Rilski” was seen above the surface of the water when the Zhrebchevo dam, near the town of Tvardica, Bulgaria was extremely dry. The church was once a part of the village of Zapalnya, a village inhabited from its settling in the 15th Century until 1965 when the construction of the Zhrebchevo dam forced the evacuation of the village and submerged the area. Underneath the water were the houses, school community centre and beautiful rose fields, which were known for producing the best rose oil in Bulgaria. Although before the dam was built there were 120 rose oil distillation installations, the only thing left of the settlement are the ruins of the church, built on top of another church from between the fourth and ninth century and its graveyard on top of a hill behind it. At the front of the graveyard, facing the dam, former residents placed a plaque commemorating their village, saying, ""Village of Zapalnya, Settled at XV century, forcibly moved in the year 1962."" In recent times the area of Zhrebchevo dam become a popular tourist attraction, with scuba divers from Bulgaria and further afield visiting the church when it is submerged in water. Where: Tvardica, Bulgaria When: 10 Aug 2015 Credit: Impact Press Group/WENN.com