A Moving Landmark: Historic Swedish Church Begins Slow Journey to Safety
A 741-ton historic church in Kiruna, Sweden, is being moved 5 km on wheels to save it from land subsidence caused by mining. The unique event, planned for 8 years, has drawn thousands of spectators to witness the preservation of a national landmark.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a sight that is both surreal and deeply poignant, one of Sweden’s most treasured architectural landmarks has begun a slow and deliberate journey on wheels, inching its way toward a new home to escape the very ground that threatens to swallow it.
The historic Kiruna Church, a building once designated as the country's most beautiful, is being painstakingly relocated with its entire foundation intact, a monumental undertaking that has captivated a nation and drawn thousands of onlookers to witness what many are calling a strange and unforgettable event they have anticipated for years.
The massive relocation project is taking place in the northern Swedish town of Kiruna, a community whose existence is deeply intertwined with the mining industry.
It is this very industry that has necessitated the church’s unprecedented move. Decades of mining activity have caused significant land subsidence in the area, creating a growing and imminent risk of collapse for the cherished building. To save it, a decision was made not to dismantle and rebuild, but to move the entire structure as one.
The logistics of the move are a marvel of modern engineering and meticulous planning. The Kiruna Church, a formidable structure weighing 741 tons and measuring 40 meters in width, has been carefully lifted from its original site and placed onto a platform supported by several specialized tires.
This colossal convoy is now proceeding at a crawl, moving at a speed between 0.5 and 1.5 kilometers per hour. To clear a path for the building, an extraordinary logistical effort was required, including the widening of streets along the route from their standard 9 meters to an expansive 24 meters, transforming the town's infrastructure to accommodate its rolling landmark.
This complex operation is the culmination of nearly a decade of dedicated work. Theresa Linderot, the head of the community development team spearheading the project, stated that her team has been working on this intricate plan for eight years.
The goal has always been clear: to move the church from its precarious position to a secure new location in the city center, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. The slow, careful journey is a testament to the years of preparation that have gone into safeguarding this piece of Swedish heritage.
At the heart of this massive effort is the Kiruna Church itself, a structure steeped in history and national affection. Built in 1912, the 113-year-old wooden church is celebrated not only for its architectural beauty but also for its cultural significance as one of Sweden's most important landmarks.
Its unique design has long been a source of pride for the community and the nation, making the prospect of its loss unthinkable.
The slow-motion spectacle has transformed the small town of Kiruna into a destination for thousands of visitors, all eager to witness this unique intersection of engineering and cultural preservation. The sight of a massive church rolling through the streets has attracted widespread attention, with crowds gathering to document the historic event.
Some of those in attendance have described the relocation as a "major event" and a "strange sight," encapsulating the mixture of awe and disbelief felt by many who have watched the church begin its five-kilometer journey. It is planned that within a week, this beloved building will settle into its new location, standing once again as a steadfast symbol of faith, community, and the remarkable human will to preserve history.
