An estimated 9,000 houses were destroyed, and more than 30,000 residents were forced from their homes. Churches and other cultural and religious buildings were also slated to go. Although he was not a religious man, Mr. Iordachescu started to look for a way to save some of the centuries-old churches and monasteries. After that, engineers would sever the foundations and use hydraulic levers and mechanical pulleys to move the buildings to their new locations. Foundations would be put in place at the other end to support the relocated structures.

Source: New York Times January 11, 2019 20:15 UTC