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Kiruna Church on the Move to Escape Mine’s Reach
Kiruna, Sweden — In a remarkable feat of engineering, the historic Kiruna Church is being relocated to protect it from the expanding iron ore mine beneath the town. The 113-year-old structure, voted Sweden’s most beautiful pre-1950 building, has been carefully placed on a trailer for its two-day journey to a new location.
The move comes as the world’s largest underground iron ore mine continues to grow, causing cracks in nearby buildings and roads. Officials have initiated a project to relocate structures to safer ground, with the church being a prominent and delicate undertaking.
Large crowds, including international visitors, gathered to witness the church’s initial roll-out, marking a significant moment in Kiruna’s history. “It’s like history taking place in front of our eyes,” remarked culture strategist Sofia Lagerlöf Mättää.
Project Manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson acknowledged the complexity of the operation, emphasizing the team’s meticulous planning and control. This delicate operation includes protecting the church’s interior, especially Prince Eugen’s altar painting, which remains inside the church, carefully covered and stabilized. The church’s organ, with its 1,000 pipes, is also being transported within the structure.
The relocation is necessary due to Swedish law prohibiting mining under buildings. While there’s no immediate danger of collapse, expanding fissures threaten essential infrastructure, necessitating the move before services are disrupted, explained Robert Ylitalo, CEO of Kiruna’s development company.