Archive · 19 Aug 2025
Kiruna Church's Journey: A Historic Relocation Begins
The Kiruna Church in Sweden, which is over a hundred years old, is being moved because the ground beneath it is becoming unstable due to a nearby iron ore mine.
It's like a giant, slow road trip of about 5 kilometers to a new spot.
This move is part of a larger plan to shift the whole town of Kiruna, with thousands of homes and buildings.
The church is being moved to keep it safe.
This project is being paid for by the mining company, LKAB, which supplies a large amount of iron ore to Europe.
Kiruna Church in Sweden is being relocated due to ground instability caused by mining.
The 600-ton, 113-year-old church is being transported 5 kilometers to a new location.
The move is part of a 30-year project to relocate thousands of residents and buildings.
The relocation aims to preserve the church, considered a cultural landmark.
The project is funded by LKAB, the company operating the Kiruna iron ore mine.
- Who
- Kiruna Church and LKAB (the mining company).
- What
- Kiruna Church is being relocated to a new site.
- When
- The move began on Tuesday.
- Where
- Kiruna, Sweden.
- Why
- To preserve the church due to mining activity.
Kiruna Community
LKAB
Mining and Town Safety
Kiruna Community
The church move is a necessary step to ensure the town's preservation.
LKAB
The mining expansion, while beneficial, leads to ground instability.
- Church Age
- 113 years
- Church Weight
- 600 tons
- Relocation Distance
- 5 kilometers
- Mine Operator
- LKAB
- Project Cost
- 500 million kronor
