Divine Intervention

It seemed at the outset, that a road-widening project at Tarces in northern Italy would require the demolition of the small local chapel built in honour of Saint Antonius. That was until engineers came up with a solution to move the church by just 10 m (33') and save it from destruction.

To move the small church, specialists from Betonmax, based in Lagundo, cored 36 holes, each 600 mm (24”) deep and 152 mm (6”) in diameter, using a Hilti DD 250-E diamond coring system. Engineers then fixed steel rods before steel supports and plates to strengthen and stabilize the chapel structure were added. Then, over a period of two days, a Hilti DS WS-15 diamond wire saw was used to literally cut the church from its foundations.

After the chapel had been reinforced with steel braces, two cranes slowly lifted the church onto its new foundations. Planning of the project was carried out by Impresa Klas from Malles Venosta.