One of Sweden’s most iconic churches has undergone a 5km relocation relocation this week to guard it from the encroaching expansion of Europe’s largest underground iron ore mine.
The 672-tonne Kiruna Kyrka, a Lutheran church consecrated in 1912 and beloved for its distinctive red wood design inspired by Sámi architecture, was placed on trailers and set in motion on Tuesday, the Guardian reports.
The move, which was to take two days at a speed of just half a kilometre per hour, marks essentially the most high-profile stage within the state-owned mining company LKAB’s vast urban transformation project.
For a long time, the mine beneath Kiruna has undermined the soundness of the bottom, forcing the town to steadily shift.
The church is one among 23 cultural landmarks chosen to be preserved and rebuilt as a part of the multi-decade operation, which can not conclude until 2035.
Over 10,000 people, amongst them Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, were expected to witness the relocation, with streets widened to create space for the large structure.
National broadcaster SVT has been airing the spectacle under the title Den stora kyrkflytten (“The Big Church Move”), continuing Sweden’s fascination with “slow TV”.
LKAB executives, comparable to CEO Jan Moström defended the relocation, which has cost greater than 500 million kronor (£39m), as unavoidable.
He commented during STV’s live broadcast: “If the mine is to stay, we’ve got to maneuver Kiruna city centre. Kiruna city centre without the church, I can’t see it – so there are not any alternatives.”
The mining company’s senior vp of urban development, Stefan Hämäläinen, stated: “The move of Kiruna church is mandatory for it to live on in any respect. LKAB has moved an enormous amount of buildings in the continuing urban transformation that began planning over 20 years ago.
“We are obliged to compensate for what’s affected by the mine. In the identical way, we seek constructive solutions when mining operations affect reindeer herding, because it is a vital a part of Sami society and culture.”
Affected residents were supplied with two options by the mining company — monetary compensation or the rebuilding of their properties.
The operation has not been without controversy.
Sámi community leaders argue that while the church has been preserved, their reindeer herding lands and culture face long-term damage from the mining project.
Reindeer owner and Gabna Sameby board member Karin K Niia, described the church’s move as a “big show” to divert attention away from what she called “land-grabbing” of Indigenous grazing territories.
She was quoted by the Guardian as saying: “It feels reasonably difficult to see the move of the church after I’m well aware of the results that mining activities have on the whole lot around it: biodiversity, the air, pollution of water, reindeer and wildlife generally.
“They have planned all of it to be able to get people’s attention, media attention on this state-owned company and their motion to preserve the church as an emblem for the cultural heritage of Kiruna.”
Despite criticism, engineers say the relocation is a feat of precision.
The constructing was lifted onto beams and trailers, with its 2,000-pipe organ and Swedish Prince Eugen altarpiece delicately loaded for the journey.
The separate bell tower is scheduled to follow next week.
The church is predicted to reopen at its recent site by the tip of 2026, standing as each a preserved landmark of Swedish heritage and an emblem of the immense changes forced by industrial expansion within the Arctic.
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