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Iron ore is mined in Kiruna, Sweden. (archive picture)
Keystone
The Swedish town of Kiruna is moving its imposing red wooden church to a new town center. The church, which is more than a hundred years old, is being relocated together with the entire historic town center so that a mine can be developed.
The church will be moved around five kilometers on a special transporter at a maximum speed of one kilometer per hour.
The removal of the church will take two days and is scheduled to take place on August 19 and 20. The mining company LKAB, which mines iron ore in Kiruna, is paying the equivalent of around 44.5 million euros for the costly transportation. The Kiruna iron ore mine is one of the largest mines in Europe.
As a result of the mine, the ground in the town north of the Arctic Circle has become unstable in places and there is a risk of collapse.
23 other cultural monuments in the town of 18,000 inhabitants have already been moved, but the relocation of the church is considered a particularly symbolic step.
The church in Kiruna is 40 meters wide and weighs 672 tons and combines different architectural styles. Inside, it is decorated with motifs inspired by the Sami people - the indigenous population of the region. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Sweden.
15.08.2025, 05:38
