A historic church in Kiruna, Sweden, is being relocated due to ground subsidence risks from nearby iron ore mining. The 113-year-old timber structure, originally built in 1912, is being moved a distance of 5 kilometers (3 miles) along a designated route to the new city center. This process includes hoisting the church onto specialized trailers and transporting it at a speed of up to 500 meters per hour, with the entire journey projected to last two days.
The decision to move the church stems from concerns about ground fissures threatening infrastructure in the old city center. Swedish law prohibits mining activities under buildings, thus necessitating an organized relocation of the community’s structures. The operation represents a significant aspect of the broader relocation efforts in Kiruna, where many buildings have been shifted or demolished due to similar risks, with the mining company LKAB covering the projected costs of over 10 billion Swedish krona (approximately $1 billion).
On the starting day of the move, a brief blessing ceremony was conducted, followed by the slow movement of the church, which weighs 672 tonnes and stands at 35 meters (115 feet) tall. As the church moved, it attracted crowds of observers, with many expressing feelings of nostalgia and community attachment.
Engineers opted to relocate the church as one complete structure to preserve its integrity, using steel beams and self-propelled modular transporters for support. Protective measures are also in place to secure treasured interior elements, including a valuable altar painting. With a focus on safety and preservation, the relocation aims to maintain the church’s rich history while addressing the realities of a changing environment. If all proceeds as planned, the church is expected to arrive at its new site by Wednesday evening. Live coverage of the event has been made available through various media outlets.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cde3xp4xlw9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss