In a meticulously orchestrated feat of engineering, the iconic Kiruna Kyrka, a 1912 red wooden church weighing 672 tonnes, arrived at its new location in the Arctic town of Kiruna on Wednesday after a two-day, five-kilometre (three-mile) journey. The relocation was necessitated by the expansion of Europe’s largest underground mine, operated by LKAB.
The church, which began its journey on Tuesday, inched forward at a pace of half a kilometre per hour on two remote-controlled flatbed trailers. Its arrival around 2:30 pm (1230 GMT) was celebrated with a musical fanfare, marking the culmination of a complex logistical operation.
Kiruna’s entire town centre is being relocated due to the LKAB iron ore mine’s deepening excavations, which have compromised the stability of the ground. The church’s new location, chosen to preserve its character and connection to its surroundings, has been rotated 180 degrees, positioning the altar to face west—a symbolic gesture towards the town and its residents.
The relocation has captivated widespread attention, with large crowds gathering along the route to witness the historic event. Lisa Weber, a 26-year-old real estate agent from Germany, travelled to Kiruna specifically to see the relocation, describing it as a “historical” moment. “It’s something that you do once in your life, or see once in your life,” she told AFP.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden participated in the festivities, engaging with the Argentinian driver, Sebastian Druker, who remotely controlled the trailers using a joystick. The king also joined an attempt to set a world record for the largest “kyrkkaffe” (a coffee break following a church service).
The town’s relocation process, which began nearly two decades ago, is expected to continue for years. The new town centre was inaugurated in September 2022. LKAB has offered financial compensation or rebuilding services to those affected by the relocation, with 23 historic buildings already moved before the church.
Despite the meticulous planning, not all residents are satisfied. Critics, including local podcast hosts Alex Johansson and Magnus Fredriksson, have expressed dissatisfaction with LKAB’s handling of the relocation. “LKAB maybe didn’t read the room so well when they destroyed the whole town and then they stage this huge street party for the people,” Fredriksson remarked to broadcaster SVT.
LKAB’s discovery of Europe’s largest known deposit of rare earth elements near the Kiruna mine in 2023 has added another layer of complexity to the situation. These elements are crucial for the green transition, particularly in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. However, activists argue that mining operations are detrimental to the region’s pristine forests, lakes, and traditional Sami reindeer herding practices.
The relocation of the church alone is estimated to cost LKAB 500 million kronor ($52 million). Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church features a blend of architectural influences, including designs inspired by the Indigenous Sami people. The church’s handblown glass windows were removed before the move and replaced with painted plywood. The separate belltower will be relocated next week.
As Kiruna continues to adapt to the demands of modern industry, the relocation of the Kiruna Kyrka stands as a testament to the town’s resilience and the intricate balance between progress and preservation.
