PARISH CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH [ Church or cathedral ]
The church is a Baroque building with one nave, built from 1780-83 and influenced by Classicism. The main altar is decorated by a wooden picture of the Madonna ,dating from the beginning of the 15th century, to which Catholic believers attributed miraculous powers. For this reason, religious pilgrimages to the church from across the region were organised on St. Mary of Carmel's day (6 July). From 1913-28 the church was closed for major renovations, as mine subsidence had led to the building sinking by 8 metres. A ferro-concrete base was positioned to support the foundations and the stonework, and three ferro-concrete lines were inserted across the nave under the floor tiling. An old brick vault was replaced by a lighter structure fixed to an iron frame, and the tower was reconstructed using an iron framework walled in with brick. The building is both a historical work of architecture and a unique technological curiosity.
Sun: 7.15 a.m