Church with 600-tonne weight relocated 5km in Sweden for iron mine expansion
The magnificent red wooden church of Kiruna, one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings, was moved to a new location on August 20, marking a significant event in the town's history. The church, known as Kiruna Kyrka, was designed by Gustaf Wickman and features a unique silhouette with steeply pitched roofs and wide windows on either side.
The relocation was a meticulous operation, funded by LKAB, and was broadcast live on Swedish television, attracting a crowd of 10,000 tourists. The project was undertaken with "great reverence" by Stefan Holmblad Johansson, project manager at the industrial company, given the church's cultural and historical significance.
The church was moved in one piece, using remote-controlled trailers that traveled at 500 meters per hour. Workers were busy around the structure on the first day of the journey, taking measurements and conducting tests to ensure everything went as planned.
The ground around the church was dug out, and large yellow beams were placed underneath to allow the building to be lifted onto the trailers. The church, which is an architectural blend of Sami-inspired motifs and a neo-Gothic red exterior, was moved with great care to preserve cultural values, particularly the altarpiece and organ.
The relocation was necessary due to the instability of the soil beneath the city caused by mining activities. The iron ore mine, one of the world's largest deposits, is being developed by the Swedish LKAB group. The city center of Kiruna is being relocated to allow for the expansion of the mine.
LKAB qualifies the move of the church as a "unique event in world history". The bell tower, standing separately from the church, will be moved a week after the rest of the building. The church is now located next to the city's cemetery.
Inaugurated in 1912, Kiruna Kyrka is a testament to Swedish craftsmanship and architectural innovation. The interior of the church features elements of national romantic style and an Art Nouveau altarpiece painted by Prince Eugene of Sweden.
The relocation of the church marks a significant step in the ongoing process of moving the city of Kiruna, preserving a piece of Swedish history while ensuring the town's future. The project manager of the industrial company that carried out the Kiruna church relocation was Mats Eriksson.
Read also:
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: BP Faces Record-Breaking Settlement - Dubbed 'Largest Environmental Fine Ever Imposed'
- Lawsuit of Phenomenal Magnitude: FIFA under threat due to Diarra's verdict, accused of player injustice
- Expansion of railway systems, implementation of catenary systems, and combating fires: SNCF adapting to the summer heatwave
- Citizen Thekla Walker, Minister, advises: "Let's focus on our own homes first"
