Basilica tower restored to mark WWI destruction
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
09.07.2014 11:36
A new 40-tonne dome was delivered to the Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Swiety Krzyz, southern Poland on Wednesday, marking 100 years since the world war that destroyed it.
Photo: PAP/Michal Walczak
Three special vehicles were required to transport the structure from the workshops of the Furmanek Renewal restoration company in Daleszyce to the Benedictine monastery.
The journey began before dawn under police escort, so as to minimise interference with other traffic.
Photo: PAP/Michal Walczak
Once the dome has been installed on 14 July, the reconstructed tower will rise to over 50 metres.
660 tonnes of stone have already been used to restore the tower to its former glory, and there are plans to open a viewing terrace later this year.
Archbishop of Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz will take part in a special dedication ceremony on 7 September.
The tower was destroyed by the Austrian army in 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War I.
Poles fought under three armies (German, Austrian and Russian) in the war, and 400,000 Polish soldiers died during the conflict. Poland regained its independence amidst the collapse of three empires at the close of the war. (nh)
Source: PAP/Gazeta Wyborcza