In Sweden, an entire church moved several kilometers away

Relocation of the church in Sweden. Photo: Leonhard Föger/Reuters

In the Swedish city of Kiruna, a unique operation was completed to roll a century-old Lutheran church 5 kilometers away to a new location because of the risk of land subsidence.

On August 19, the relocation of the church, built in 1912 and weighing 672 tons, began. The 35-meter-high, 40-meter-wide building was moved at a speed of half a kilometer per hour, and the entire operation lasted two days. Thousands of spectators, including King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, observed the process, which was also streamed online.

Kiruna Church has been recognized as the most beautiful building in the country constructed before 1950.

The need for relocation arose after more than a century of iron ore extraction. Mining has reached a depth of one kilometer, and the old city center is now at risk. The state-owned mining company LKAB, which operates the mine, is funding the relocation of the entire city.

Preparations for the operation took more than eight years and cost $52 million. Streets were specially widened to allow for transport. Next week, the bell tower will also be moved. The church is expected to reopen to visitors at the end of 2026.

Kiruna was founded 120 years ago following the opening of the iron ore mine. The church became one of 23 cultural heritage sites to be relocated. Some buildings have already been demolished and rebuilt, while others have been moved intact. For instance, the clock tower of the old town hall was relocated and now stands next to the new one.

The overall cost of the relocation project is estimated at nearly $1 billion. The full resettlement of Kiruna is expected to be completed by 2035.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that according to the Swedish Prime Minister, Ukraine must recognize same-sex unions to move closer to the EU.

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